The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) today announced that jockey Paco Lopez has been suspended for six months, effective September 23, 2025. The suspension stems from what HISA said was Mr. Lopez’s violation of the terms of his conditional reinstatement, related to a December 4, 2024 incident involving his use of the riding crop on National Law.

The prior incident came at Parx Racing, where a camera captured Lopez striking National Law across the face after the colt veered dramatically to the outside rail in victory. HISA hit the rider with an indefinite suspension, later reduced to time served with a strict probationary condition.

The punishment meted out by HISA called for Lopez, in addition to undergoing counseling and taking time off from the sport, to make “meaningful donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Thoroughbred aftercare organization Second Call.”

It also called for him to avoid subsequent crop violations.

In the months since, Lopez returned to top-level racing, winning a half-dozen graded stakes and even securing his first Grade 1 victory since 2019, aboard Book’em Danno in the Forego at Saratoga on August 23. Yet it was that very ride that triggered the current disciplinary action. HISA officials determined that Lopez had violated the rules by raising his whip above his head prior to striking the horse.

“HISA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and integrity in horse racing,” the organization said in its statement. “By enforcing rules consistently, we aim to protect both horses and riders and preserve confidence in the sport.”

Lopez has 300 wins this year and has registered more than $12.3 million in purse earnings, a career best. His wins total leads the nation; Jose Ortiz is second with 242.