Jockeys Must Wait On Inquiry Verdict

Dean Williams and Brain Reilly will have to wait until December 11 to learn their fate regarding corruption charges after a disciplinary panel of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority adjourned the case.

The jockeys attended a four-day hearing at Shaftesbury Avenue which looked at their riding of 10 horses between December 2004 and February of this year.

It was hoped a result could be announced on Friday afternoon but due to the large volume of evidence and the seriousness of the charges, the panel will wait until next month before releasing their findings.

They will also reconvene on November 27 to finalise their deliberations.

HRA public relations manager Paul Struthers said: 'Obviously it's far from ideal for any of the parties to have to wait more than three weeks for the verdict.

'However, it is entirely correct that the panel take as much time as they feel is necessary, particularly when people's livelihoods are at stake.'

Williams and Reilly are charged with communicating information to former bookmaker Owen Churchill for reward and aiding or abetting a breach of the rules of racing.

The panel are also considering whether Reilly failed to ensure that three of his mounts (Shifty Night, Three Ships and Pirouettes) ran on their merits, while Williams' ride on Ever Cheerful is also being looked at.

Churchill, who chose not to attend the inquiry, is charged with commission of a corrupt practice, misleading a HRA official, hindering an investigation and causing jockeys to be in breach of the rules of racing.

? PA Sport