Any horse racing fan would swear by the fact that the sport is one of the most thrilling ones out there. The adrenaline rush, the taste of victory, and horses tailing on each other’s heels are sights every connoisseur loves to enjoy. Moreover, the jockeys love to revel in the admiration. But sometimes, some riders get too carried away in search of glory. Paco Lopez seems to be in that situation, though his supporters are ready to excuse his past.

In December 2024, the Mexican jockey rose on the back of National Law to win the fifth race at Parx Racing. However, video evidence showed he used his riding crop on the horse multiple times on the face as the latter veered outside en route to victory. Subsequently, Lopez was suspended for 50 days. However, PETA contested the ruling and urged that the punishment wasn’t in line with the jockey’s actions. Now, as a new update emerges, fans of the sport don’t align with the latest decision.

The official Thoroughbred Daily News‘ social media handle took to X on September 23 to share an update on Paco Lopez’s situation. “ALERT: Jockey Paco Lopez has been issued a six-month suspension by the @hisa_us,” the post reveals how the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) extended the 39-year-old’s woes.

“HISA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and integrity in horse racing. We take any behavior that undermines the trust of participants and fans with the utmost seriousness. By enforcing rules consistently, we aim to promote fairness in the adjudication process, protect both horses and riders and preserve confidence in the integrity of the sport,” the horse and jockey safety governing body said in a press release. However, the issue with the suspension extension arises when one remembers Lopez has already received a suspension for his December deeds.

Besides, he was also directed to participate in therapy sessions and make significant donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, as part of his reinstatement order. Naturally, community stakeholders were curious as to which part of that order Paco had violated for the HISA to act out yet again.

“Since Mr. Lopez returned from his suspension in January, 2025, he has been found by stewards to have committed 10 violations of HISA’s riding crop rule, including eight violations in which the crop was raised with his wrist above his helmet when using the crop,” a HISA spokesperson highlighted how Lopez’s actions made him a serial offender in its eyes. However, Drew Mollica, the jockey’s attorney, contested the statement by noting that the recent infractions weren’t something that came to light all of a sudden.

“While that recitation of the rules violations may be accurate, all of those violations were addressed by the stewards at the time they happened. Moreover, none of those violations in any way relate to the National Law incident…We fervently deny that Mr. Lopez has breached any covenant of our agreement and look forward to a full and fair hearing on the merits,” Mollica’s statement on the matter read.

Like the attorney, the fans weren’t at all satisfied with the new verdict. “Unfair!!!” bellowed one fan, possibly remembering Lopez had already served his suspension sentence. Others seemed to agree.

Paco Lopez’s fate has the fans agitated

Remember when Junior Alvarado was slammed with a $62,000 fine after winning the Kentucky Derby aboard Sovereignty this year? That was yet another HISA verdict that had the fans divided. “I couldn’t keep track of that. It’s such a big race, there’s so much that you’ve got on your mind…I wasn’t galloping by 10 (lengths). When the extra whip happened, I was right next to the favorite and I needed to do what I needed to do at the time,” the Venezuelan later said about why he did what he did at Churchill Downs. Ambiguities like these are what make things debatable, and Lopez’s case is no different.

But it does seem like Paco has most fans standing beside him instead of against him. “That fanning of his whip is to scare other horses from passing..its not to hit the horse harder. Trick used by the greats for ages and hes gonna get penalized for it now bc they are looking at him with a microscope. Sad,” one fan was evidently in disagreement with HISA’s call to keep Paco off the racetrack. “Paco Lopez is an amazing athlete. Renegotiate punishment,” said the same fan.

Last year, the equestrian world went into shock when multiple-time Olympic champion rider Charlotte Dujardin pulled out of the Paris Games following allegations of mistreating horses. However, in reference to Paco’s situation, it can be argued that horse racing and show equestrian are two very different ballgames altogether. And that’s exactly why the fans seem to fume over HISA’s latest announcement.

“I don’t support Paco being able to ride anywhere but it makes no sense restricting jockeys from being able to raise your whip above your head,” the verdict came off as irrational to this fan, while another straight-up alleged, “Let us all be punished for things we’ve done months ago, by people who are obviously out to get someone. He’s been punished enough!”

It becomes a serious situation considering Paco has served an earlier suspension. The court will hold a full and fair hearing on the merits. What do you think about the incident? Do let us know in the comments below.