The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority said that jockey Paco Lopez, who has been suspended since December 4 for a postrace riding crop offense on December 3 at Parx Racing, where he struck a racing horse in the face or neck area, will be restored on a conditional basis on January 23. “Lopez has fulfilled all requirements for reinstatement, proving his dedication to maintaining the standards of conduct and integrity expected of horse racing participants,” reads a statement from HISA, which sanctioned the rider.
Lopez made significant payments to Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund while he was suspended, and he has promised to continue attending the mandatory therapy sessions. By hitting his horse after the fifth race at Parx Dec. 3 as he brought National Law to a walk after a gallop out and approached an outrider, Lopez broke the HISA crop regulations.
This came after a 2-year-old maiden race in which National Law bore out poorly approaching the outer barrier. After a seven-length lead in midstretch, the Constitution colt, owned by Colts Neck Stables and trained by Jorge Duarte Jr., held on for a 1 1/2-length victory. Until late, the conclusion seemed uncertain, and the horse and rider’s safety seemed in jeopardy.
Shortly after the race, social media users shared postrace videos of the track, which sparked intense criticism from onlookers who were outraged by the rider’s use of the crop after the danger appeared to have passed. According to HISA regulations, a jockey may only use their crop in a way that is professional and consistent with keeping a horse’s attention and for safety and encouragement to achieve optimal performance. Additionally, HISA rules require that crops should not be used on any part of a horse other than the shoulders or hindquarters, and the crop is to be used only in the post parade or after the finish to avoid a dangerous situation.
Lopez expressed regret in a public statement that was uploaded on X on December 5th, calling his actions “reactionary, in the heat of the moment.” Despite being unable to ride for the majority of December, Lopez, 39, finished with 269 victories last year, making him one of the top riders in the nation. After finishing second behind Irad Ortiz Jr. at the time of his suspension, he went on to finish sixth among North American jockeys by victories. His horses brought in almost $12.3 million by the end of 2024, placing him 15th in terms of earnings. Lopez, who has won 4,038 races in his career from 19,542 horses, has frequently faced penalties, either for using the crop, which is more than the six-strike limit for jockeys, or for a number of race-riding offenses, some of which resulted in long suspensions.
Two well-known instances include Lopez’s 30-day suspension at Gulfstream Park in February 2019 for triggering a two-horse spill that injured jockeys Romero Maragh and Carlos Montalvo. A few years later, in 2022, he received a 14-day suspension for recklessly riding in the Gulfstream Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), which was marred by a spill. During the winter, he mostly rides in South Florida. After his most recent suspension was lifted, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus stated, “Paco Lopez has shown that he is committed to acting in a way that is expected of professional jockeys. He has expressed regret and a wish to resume riding after gaining a fresh perspective on the responsibilities that accompanies the honor of working with horses.
