Jockey Paco Lopez has accepted an “indefinite” suspension from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) following a Tuesday incident in which he struck his mount sharply with his whip on the side of the horse’s face (see video above).

“Once HISA is satisfied Lopez has dealt with his issues and is ready to commit himself to prioritizing horse welfare and the safety of his fellow jockeys, we will discuss his eventual return to Thoroughbred racing,” HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus said in a statement. “Until such time, the parties have agreed that Lopez will be suspended indefinitely.”

“My actions were reactionary, in the heat of the moment, and I am truly sorry,” Lopez wrote on his account on X, formerly Twitter. “I have seen the many social media posting, which have led me to reflect on the situation. I have decided to take time away from racing and, in the path of several of my fellow riders, seek appropriate counseling and work on myself.”

According to Lazarus’ statement, Lopez agreed that, in addition to undergoing counseling and taking time off from the sport, he would also make “meaningful donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Thoroughbred aftercare organization Second Call.”

Second Call focuses on assisting New Jersey’s off-track Thoroughbreds.

The incident occurred following the strangely run fifth race Tuesday at Parx Racing. Lopez was aboard National Law, a two-year-old Constitution colt trained by Jorge Duarte for Colts Neck Stables LLC. Sent off the even money favorite, National Law went well clear of his rivals in mid-stretch but drifted out badly, finishing the race literally on the outside rail – though still clear and in first.

As Lopez was pulling the horse up after galloping out, he put the stick in his right hand and gave National Law a crack to the side of his head. That action took place on-camera.

Reaction on social media was quick and nearly unanimous in condemning Lopez.

“The actions today of veteran jockey Paco Lopez were completely, totally unacceptable, inexcusable and reprehensible,” Mike Repole’s Repole Stable opined on X, one of many such comments.

“It’s never okay to react out of frustration towards a horse,” Parx track announcer Jessica Paquette said on that social network, adding, “More now than ever, we have to be better.”

In the immediate aftermath, Duarte, National Law’s trainer, defended Lopez but soon altered course, apologizing for doing so and calling the rider’s actions “egregious and uncalled for.”

And Colts Neck’s Stephen Santulli also took to X to issue a statement, saying in part, “It is truly one of the most unwarranted actions I have seen lately. Colts Neck Stables has not and will not ever condone this type of treatment towards horses. We love our animals, and it is always our priority to maximize their quality of life while under our care.”

Lopez has had an extremely successful career. He has won over 4,000 races, starting in 2007, while generating purse earnings in excess of $152 million. He’s been the leading rider at Monmouth Park five straight years and has eight career Grade 1 victories to his credit, including a win in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Sprint aboard Roy H. But he is also a rider considered to get close to – and sometimes over – the line between legitimate race riding and excessively rough or dangerous tactics.

Lopez has been dinged by HISA 11 times in the last two years for crop violations. In five of those, he struck the horse seven times, one more than is allowed; and in six, he raised his wrist above the top of his helmet before a strike.

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