Fallon denies accepting incentives for tips

Champion jockey Kieran Fallon has spoken for the first time about the Ballinger Ridge affair, refuting suggestions that he accepted money and other incentives for racing tips.

In a four-page article described as the 'sports scandal of the decade', the News Of The World alleged on Sunday that Fallon told undercover journalists before a race at Lingfield last Tuesday that eventual winner Rye would beat his mount.

But Fallon told ITV News today that he repeatedly refused to accept any money or gifts for tips, as that would have landed him in hot water with the racing authorities.

'When the first couple of horses started winning for them, they did offer me money and I said `what do you mean? Jockeys can?t accept money?.

'It got to the stage where they said if you are not going to accept any money, why don?t we give you cars? Why don?t you have a Mercedes?

'I said it?s against the Rules of Racing. I do very well out of racing, I make a good living - the cheque at the end of the month is very good. I don?t need it and that?s exactly what I told them.

'I think this all blew up because they could see I wasn?t going to accept anything. They went the other way then and the whole thing went against me.'

Irregular betting patterns on a betting exchange prompted the controversial defeat of Ballinger Ridge to be referred for investigation by the Jockey Club.

The horse was beaten a short head after Fallon eased down when well clear approaching the final furlong.

On returning to action at Lingfield today, Ballinger Ridge was ridden to victory by Martin Dwyer in the lowly 3.20pm Cashbacks Bet Direct Interactive Median Auction Maiden Stakes.