"Australian harness racing is banning the use of whips in training and racing from 1 September 2017 in a world-leading animal welfare initiative that improves the industry’s image and enhances its sustainability."
(http://www.harness.org.au/news-arti...m?news_id=31814)

If it's a successful move I imagine there would be pressure on thoroughbred racing to follow (presuming they don't take the initiative themselves).