The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced Tuesday that jockey Paco Lopez has been suspended for six months, effective September 23, 2025, according to a press release from HISA.<\/p>\n
The release says that, \u201cThe suspension stems from Mr. Lopez’s violation of the terms of his conditional reinstatement, related to a December 4, 2024 incident involving Mr. Lopez’s use of the riding crop on the Covered Horse, National Law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHISA 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, HISA said in its press release. \u201cBy 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In December, Lopez was hit with an indefinite suspension for striking National Law across the face<\/a> with his whip after the race was over. He served 50 days of the suspension before being allowed to ride<\/a>, but that came with some conditions. He was ordered to participate in therapy sessions and make sizeable donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement.<\/p>\n When asked what portion of the terms of the reinstatement Lopez had violated, a HISA spokesperson responded:<\/p>\n \u201cSince 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. The cumulative nature of the violations demonstrates a pattern of disregard for HISA’s rules and presents risk of injury to Covered Horses.\u201d<\/p>\n Those rulings may be seen on HISA’s rulings<\/a>\u00a0page.<\/p>\n