Jockey Wins Preakness in Apparent Violation of Whip Rule: PETA Statement

For Immediate Release:
May 18, 2026

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

 PETA has reviewed video footage of Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, and the images appear to show yet another serious rule violation by winning jockey Paco Lopez. Video stills (below) indicate that Lopez, riding Napoleon Solo, raised his whip hand above his helmet three different times before striking the horse—conduct prohibited under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rules (2280 (c)(1)). This apparent violation comes just weeks after Lopez completed a six-month suspension for multiple whip violations. His record speaks volumes: Prior to that suspension, Lopez was suspended at least six additional times in 2025 and amassed 22 whip violations since HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program took effect in July 2022. PETA has provided the stills to HISA and asked for an investigation. Please see the following statement from PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo:

Jockeys who repeatedly flout rules designed to protect horses have no place in racing. Just weeks after serving a six‑month suspension for violating whip rules, Paco Lopez appears to have ridden to victory in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes while breaking the very same rule by yet again raising his whip hand above helmet level before striking Thoroughbred Napoleon Solo. Lopez has violated whip rules multiple times and served at least six suspensions in 2025 alone. He has shown again and again, particularly in big money races like the $2 million Preakness Stakes and the $500,000 Forego Stakes at Saratoga Race Course last fall, that he has no regard for the rules—or for the horses those rules are meant to protect. PETA is calling on racing officials to review the video and still shots to determine if this serial violator’s conduct warrants forfeiture of his $120,000 share of the Preakness prize money and banishment from racing.

Paco Lopez is shown below in front, wearing the white helmet.

First above-the-helmet strike in the stretch (wide-screen and close-up):

Second above-the-helmet strike in the stretch (wide-screen and close-up):

Third above-the-helmet strike in the stretch (wide-screen and close-up):

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.