Saturday, 21 May 2011

Oh No!


Jockeys Paul Doe, Greg Fairley, Kirsty Milczarek and Jimmy Quinn, along with former rider Paul Fitzsimons, have all been charged with serious breaches of the rules of racing.

It is alleged they conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice following a British Horseracing Authority investigation into suspicious betting activity on a number of races. Fitzsimons is no longer a jockey but is now a licensed trainer.

Registered owners Maurice Sines and James Crickmore have also been charged with the same breach of the rules, along with six others - Peter Gold, Nick Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick, Darren May and Liam Vasey.

All of the individuals except the jockeys are alternatively/additionally charged with another breach in that it is alleged 'they caused the jockey in the race to act by communicating to him directly or indirectly, at his request and for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, inside information in relation to the named horse'.

Each of the jockeys is additionally charged with a different breach in that it is alleged 'they communicated directly or indirectly to one or more betting exchange account holders, for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, information relating to the prospects of the named horse'.

The allegations focus on horses being laid to lose on betting exchanges in 10 races that took place between January 17, 2009, and August 15, 2009.

As well as being charged for allegedly passing on information for reward, each of the jockeys has also been charged with 'intentionally failing to ensure that their horse was run on its merits'.

Paul Doe has been charged in relation to a total of five races combining both charges. The races took place at Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Kempton and Bath.


Greg Fairley has been charged in relation to four races, Jimmy Quinn with two and Milczarek and Fitzsimons to one race each.

An independent disciplinary panel hearing has been set for October 20 and is scheduled to last 10 days.