Jockeys Cleared Of Race-Fixing

Former champion Irish jockey Kieren Fallon has been cleared at the Old Bailey of race fixing. He was acquitted along with five other men - including a jockey from Northern ireland.

Mr Fallon, 42, from Co Tipperary in Ireland, was found not guilty on the directions of judge, Mr Justice Forbes, along with fellow jockeys, Fergal Lynch, 29, from Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire and Darren William, 29, from Leyburn in North Yorkshire, businessman Miles Rodgers, 38, from Silkstone in South Yorkshire and two other men - Shaun Lynch, 37, from Londonderry, Northern Ireland and Philip Sherkle, 42, from Tamworth in Staffordshire.

The men had all been accused of plotting to throw races, thereby defrauding customers of betting exchange Betfair.

The charges related to alleged plots to stop 27 horses winning races between December 2002 and August 2004.

The main flaw in the case, which cost £6 million, was that it could not be proved that anyone had interfered with the horses.

The prosecution's expert witness was Australian racing steward Ray Murrihy, who had found fault with the jockeys in 13 of the races in the case. However, he admitted that he was not an expert on British horseracing, knowing little of the cultures and rules.

Mr Justice Forbes said that it was clear that Mr Murrihy's evidence "fell far, far short of establishing a prima facie breach of UK racing rules". He added that the probative value of his evidence was "so limited that very little value can be attached to it".

A statement released by Mr Fallon after the verdict said: "I am, of course, relieved and delighted, but also outraged. There was never any evidence against me."

(KMcA)