Friday Date For Fallon

Six-times champion jockey Kieren Fallon and weighing room colleagues Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams will learn on Friday whether they will be allowed to continue riding in Britain.

The trio, along with Cockerham-based trainer Alan Berry, were charged yesterday by City of London police with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in racing.

The licences of the riders have expired as a result of them being charged, while Berry will be prevented from entering or declaring a horse.

However, the Horseracing Regulatory Authority has set aside time for a special panel ? which will be chaired by Sir Michael Connell, a former High Court judge - to hear representations from those affected.

Berry is due to appear at noon today while the other three will appear on Friday at times to be announced.

But Fallon will not face any licence problems in Ireland, where he is based.

Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Turf Club, said: 'Basically the situation in Ireland is that he will be able to continue to ride.

'The licensing committee will obviously note what has happened but as far as we are concerned Kieren Fallon is innocent until proven guilty.'

Fallon is retained rider to the powerful Coolmore operation and partnered the Aidan O'Brien-trained Dylan Thomas to an easy success in the Budweiser Irish Derby on Sunday.

He has received the backing of the key partners in the worldwide racing and breeding outfit.

A statement from Coolmore read: 'John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, for whom Kieren Fallon rides, have been assured that Mr Fallon is innocent of these charges and look forward to his opportunity to defend himself, and to the early resolution of this issue.'

The Jockeys' Association of Great Britain urged the HRA to allow Lynch and Williams to continue to ride.

In a statement it said: 'The Jockeys' Association shares the disappointment within the sport at the news that charges have been put to three professional riders and one trainer.

'Jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams will receive our full support, most immediately at the forthcoming hearings to determine whether they be allowed to reapply for their licences.

'The JAGB would encourage the HRA to allow both self-employed jockeys to return to work as a probable lengthy legal process unfolds.

'We believe the example set by the Irish Turf Club in allowing Kieren Fallon to maintain his licence pending a conclusion to this matter is a sensible and fair approach. It would then be a matter for the employers in the sport as to whether they support such riders.

'The integrity and security of racing is vital to our members, so too the good name of the sport and we will continue to take our responsibilities seriously in this area.'

A total of 11 people were charged, including former owner Miles Rodgers who is accused of conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers and an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Farrier Steve O'Sullivan is charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers.

All will initially appear at City of London Magistrates' Court on July 17 with the CPS expecting the case to split into three linked trials likely to be sent to either Southwark Crown Court, or the Old Bailey, with the first not likely to start before spring 2007.

In total during the investigation, 34 arrests were made, more than 500 interviews undertaken, at least 1,300 statements obtained, and almost 40,000 pages of evidence passed to the CPS.

Detective Superintendent Tony Crampton, who led the 'extensive' inquiry, said the conspiracy to defraud charges had been brought against individuals including Fallon over allegations that they had agreed not to run horses 'on their merit'.

He also revealed that Berry and O'Sullivan had been charged with conspiracy to defraud in relation to the horse Hillside Girl, which they are accused of dishonestly entering into a race before subsequently laying against it winning ? in other words, betting that it would lose the race.

(C) PA Sport