Maximum Security, left, defeats Midnight Bisou in the Saudi Cup

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, winner of the International Jockeys Challenge in Saudi Arabia on Friday, will head back to the United States with a nine-day ban handed down for his ride aboard runner up Midnight Bisou in Saturday's $20 million Saudi Cup.

According to Racing Post journalist Jonathan Harding on Twitter, Smith was “given an eight-day whip ban and forfeits 60 percent of share of $3.5 million second prize-money.” Assuming he would have earned 10 percent of the $3.5 million, that equates to $210,000.

A subsequent article in Racing Post said Smith struck Midnight Bisou 14 times – above the maximum of 10 allowed under Saudi Arabia's rules. He reportedly received an additional one-day suspension for striking Midnight Bisou without regard to her stride.

Freelance racing reporter Jon Lees Tweeted the news as well, adding that Smith was given another two-day ban for missing a weigh-in after an earlier race.

Midnight Bisou, the 2019 champion older mare, was uncharacteristically last of the 14-horse field down the backstretch at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. Smith worked out a trip, most against the rail, around the far turn, drawing within striking distance of Maximum Security in the final 100 meters. Midnight Bisou came up short of Maximum Security by just three-quarters of a length at the wire.

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia's website lists stewards rulings, but the most recently listed as of Saturday evening are from Feb. 15.

According to an 88-page document describing the rules of racing governing the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, the following lays out the uses of the whip which would be characterized as “mis-use” by the stewards:

Using the whip with excessive frequency and more than 10 times.

Using the whip with excessive force.

Using the whip with the arm above shoulder height.

Using the whip rapidly without giving the horse time to respond (that is twice or more in one stride).

Using the whip on a horse which is showing no response.

Using the whip on any part of the horse's head or in the vicinity of the head.

The use of the whip in front of the saddle while the whip is held in the forehand position, unless exceptional circumstances prevail.

The continued use of the whip on a horse after its chance of winning or being placed is clearly gone.

The unnecessary use of the whip on a horse that has clearly won its race or has obtained its maximum placing.

Using the whip to the extent of causing injury.

Using the whip on a horse which is past the winning post..

Using the whip on a horse in any place except on the quarters.

Using the whip on another Jockey. Maximum Security wins the inaugural $20m @thesaudicup! #SaudiCup pic.twitter.com/izgcRkpV7p

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 29, 2020

The Racing Post reports that Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr. was also slapped with a 10-day suspension for misuse of the whip: eight days for a race on Friday and two days for his ride aboard Mucho Gusto in the Saudi Cup.

“All riders, including Mike, were spoken to at a briefing on Friday and Saturday, and reminded of the relevant rules and penalties,” Phil Tuck, steward for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, told the Racing Post.

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