Paco Lopez smacks horse face with whip well after race finished. PETA LOPEZ

[IMISREMEMBER]

x.com

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[Saddlesore]

That SOB. Inexcusable. And the horse won the race also. I hate to see what he would of done
if the horse lost.....Lopez

 

[Melniko]

Paco López @Pacolopez1018 •1h


I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS. I am aware that our sport is under a lot of scrutiny and I fully apologize to everyone involved in our sport - fans, horsemen, management, racing commissions, HISA and of course, National Law. My actions were reactionary, in the heat of the moment, and I am truly sorry.


I have seen the many social media postings, 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 myfellow riders, seek appropriate counseling and work on myself.


It cannot be overstated how much I love horses and this industry. Horseracing has been my whole life and I lookforward to a return in the near future.


Thank you for taking the time to read this.


Paco


+His X post.

 

[Bruins4Life]

And to be clear, he hit him in the neck, not his face.
Still a total piece of shit.

 

[Michelangelo]

Looked like the neck to me. And it looked like he did it because the horse was drifting towards the rail.

But I'm glad to see him take responsibility and set himself down to reflect on what did seem to be an overreaction.

 

[Bruins4Life]

The funniest part was Paco saying he was trying to "teach" the horse.The race was long over buddy. Hope the owner smacked Paco in the paddock.