HRA Confirms Jockey Charges

Racing's regulators confirmed that four jockeys, a former bookmaker and four other unlicensed individuals face charges in connection with an investigation into alleged corruption in racing.

Following the Horseracing Regulatory Authority's security department probe, Fran Ferris, Robbie Fitzpatrick, Luke Fletcher and Robert Winston, former licensed bookmaker Ian Nicholl and four other unlicensed individuals ? Kim Evans, Paul Glendenning, Joanne Roberts and Tegan Wilde ? have been informed that they face various charges in relation to 37 races that took place between June 2003 and February 2004.

The riders have been charged with 'the passing of information for reward and aiding the commission of a corrupt practice'.

The HRA gave the details in a statement, which read: 'A disciplinary panel inquiry will seek to establish, in respect of each of their respective rides in the races concerned, whether or not Ferris, Fitzpatrick, Fletcher and Winston are in breach of:

'Rule 243 by communicating to Nicholl, or in the case of Ferris and Winston, communicating to Fitzpatrick for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind information that was not publicly available or provided for in Appendix N to the Rules (Inside Information) about the named horses.

'And/or:

'Rule 220(i) by aiding and abetting the commission (in breach of Rule 201(v)) of a corrupt and/or fraudulent practice by Nicholl by communicating, to Nicholl, or in the case of Ferris and Winston, to Fitzpatrick, an agreement, assurance or other ?Inside Information' relating to the horse's prospects in the race knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, or contemplating as a real possibility that (i) such information was ?Inside Information' and (ii) Nicholl or Fitzpatrick would use or enable someone else to use it for such a corrupt and/or fraudulent practice.

'Also 220(viii) by endeavouring by an overt act to mislead one or more officials of the Jockey Club in connection with the administration or control of racing.

'And/or:

'Rule 220(vii)(b) by providing inaccurate information in relation to the administration or control of racing.

'In addition to these charges, the disciplinary panel will seek to establish whether or not Fitzpatrick is in breach of Rules 243 and/or 220(i) in respect of the 25 races in which Fran Ferris and Robert Winston rode.

'Also Rule 241(i)(b) by hindering or obstructing a person duly authorised by the stewards of the Jockey Club under Rule 1A(xxi), engaged in carrying out an investigation in connection with horseracing.'

Nicholl is charged with 'committing a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to racing'.

The HRA statement continued: 'The panel will also seek to establish whether or not, in relation to each of the 37 races in question, Nicholl acted in breach of:

'Rule 201(v) of the Orders and Rules of Racing, by committing a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to racing in Great Britain by laying the horses to lose, having received information that was not publicly available or not otherwise provided for in Appendix N to the Orders and Rules of Racing.

'And/or:

'Rule 220(ix), by causing Ferris, Fitzpatrick, Fletcher and Winston, to act in breach Rule 243 by communicating, for a material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, information about the horses which was not publicly available and was not provided for in Appendix N of these Orders and Rules.

'Additionally, the panel will be asked to consider whether Nicholl is liable to exclusion under Rule 2(v) on the further or alternative basis that he has unreasonably failed or refused to co-operate with inquiries made by Jockey Club investigators in relation to this investigation.'

Evans, Glendenning, Roberts and Wilde are accused of 'aiding and abetting Nicholl's commission of such a corrupt or fraudulent practice'.

The HRA said: 'The panel will seek to establish whether or not they are liable to exclusion pursuant to Rules 2(v) and/or 201(v) and 220(i) in that they used one or more Betfair accounts in their name(s) to lay horses not to be placed in and/or not to win that race and/or authorised Nicholl so to use that Betfair account and thereby aided and abetted Nicholl's commission of such a corrupt or fraudulent practice.

'And/or

'Liable to exclusion under Rule 2(v) on the basis that they unreasonably failed or refused to co-operate with enquiries made by Jockey Club investigators in relation to their role in and knowledge of the lay betting on the above races using their Betfair accounts.'

A directions hearing has been scheduled at HRA headquarters in Shaftesbury Avenue for September 27, at which time it is hoped a timetable will be set for the progression of the inquiry.

? PA Sport