13 people charged over corrupt horse racing betting

Two owners, five jockeys, and six others have been charged by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) following its investigation into suspicious betting activity on a number of races.

The allegations focus on horses being “laid to lose” on betting exchanges – that is, bet on not to win – in 10 races that took place between 17 January 2009 and 15 August 2009.

Owners Maurice Sines and James Crickmore, jockeys Paul Doe, Greg Fairley, Paul Fitzsimmons (now a trainer), Kirsty Milczarek and Jimmy Quinn, , have all been charged with a breach of the rules of racing, along with Peter Gold, Nick Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick, Darren May and Liam Vasey.

It is alleged that they all conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice, with many of the group also allegedly breaking several other racing rules. The punishments for breaking these rules could be career-threatening, as many of them carry heavy penalties.

Protecting the integrity of racing is a key priority for the Authority…we are committed to detecting wrong-doing and taking action when we believe there is evidence of it. Chris Brand, Acting Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority

The penalty for conspiring to commit a corrupt practice can be up to 10 years’ disqualification from horseracing, although the normal penalty is around three years.

Some of the other rules allegedly broken by various members of the group include penalties of up to 25 years’ disqualification. Other penalties include other periods of disqualification, and fines.

Independent disciplinary panel

An independent disciplinary panel hearing has been set for 20 October this year and is scheduled to last 10 days. The action is being brought by the BHA, not the police.

Chris Brand, Acting Chief Executive of the BHA, said: “Protecting the integrity of racing is a key priority for the Authority. In recent years we have invested heavily into a wide ranging infrastructure of investigatory services designed to monitor and combat integrity threats to our sport. British racing is rightly recognised worldwide for its expertise in this area and the high standards we set for both ourselves and those participating.

“Racegoers and punters should be reassured that the overwhelming majority of races are free of suspicion and we are committed to deterring and detecting wrong-doing and taking action when we believe there is evidence of it.”

Rule breaches

All of the individuals, barring the jockeys, are also charged with another rule breach, in that it is alleged that they caused the jockey in the race to act in breach of the rules by “communicating to him, directly or indirectly, at his request and for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, inside information in relation to the named horse.”

Each of the jockeys is also charged with breaching a further rule, in that it is alleged that they “communicated directly or indirectly to one or more betting exchange account holders, for material reward, gift, favour of benefit in kind, information relating to the prospects of the named horses.”

The jockeys are charged with breaking the rule above in a number of different races between 17 January 2009 and 15 August 2009.

In relation to the first and third races in question, the horse owners are also charged with allegedly instructing others to place lay bets on their behalf, and/or received the whole or any part of the proceeds of the bet when they were the owners of the horse. Owner Mr Sines is also charged with refusing to attend an interview with BHA investigators.

Each jockey is also charged with another rule breach, in that they alleged they “intentionally failed to ensure that their horse was run on its merits” in a number of races over the same period.