In what is being seen as an unprecedented move by the racing fraternity, the Directorate of Animal Welfare Board which comes under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation — headed by Maneka Gandhi — has suspended the ownership registration of Geoffrey B Nagpal and family for excessive whipping of a race horse. The suspension of ownership of the Nagpals by the Director of Animal Welfare Board has sent shock waves within the racing fraternity. The decision has made other owners wary. They fear the suspension may set off a new trend which could threaten the very nature of the sport. The Board has penalised the Nagpals (which currently has ten horses on the circuit) for excessive whipping by jockey Mallesh Narredu of a horse called Shamall during the Manjri Stud Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies Championship held on March 17 at Mahalakshmi Racecourse. Shamaal is owned by Geoffery, Antioniette, Ashley and Bianca Nagpal. A letter announcing the decision was received on April 6.
