Saturday, 21 May 2011

Oh No We Didn`t!


Jockeys charged with serious breaches of the rules of racing by the British Horseracing Authority have protested their innocence.

One of them, Kirsty Milczarek, faces accusations in relation to her ride aboard Obe Gold at Lingfield on August 15, 2009, when she finished fifth on the even-money favourite in a six-furlong seller.

Her representative, Christopher Stewart-Moore, said in a statement: "She is stunned by this development. She has been fully co-operative with the BHA investigations. There was no stewards' inquiry into her ride on the day."

He went on: "His antics on exiting from the stalls caused Kirsty to hit the upright of the starting stall, causing her a very painful injury evidenced by bruising across her chest which was observed by both the racecourse doctor on the day and the physio at Newbury the next day.

"She was in such pain that she was observed to be in tears after the race by another jockey. Her shoulder was strapped up by the physio to enable her to ride at Newbury the next day.

"She knows absolutely nothing about any laying of this horse. She has provided the BHA with all her telephone records and there are no telephone calls between her and any of the named layers. There is no evidence to support the BHA's charge for the very simple reason that she has done nothing wrong."

Former rider Paul Fitzsimons, who now trains, is another of those charged and said: "I went for an interview (with the BHA) 16 months ago and heard nothing back from them. I'm shocked and dismayed, but I've got 100% backing from my owners, and will be represented by solicitor Andrew Chalk. I'm pretty confident my name will be cleared."

Chalk, of Withy King solicitors, will also be representing Jimmy Quinn and added: "Jimmy is pulling his hair out and is particularly frustrated. He feels he has co-operated fully with the investigation, having answered all of the appropriate questions with honesty.

"He is dismayed at the charges, and is adamant he has done nothing wrong. He will be doing everything in his power to clear his name."

Greg Fairley's legal representative, Ken Stenger, said the North Yorkshire-based jockey "vehemently denied" the allegations and "will now focus upon clearing his name".