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Horse racing

Kieren Fallon and 10 Others Charged in Horse Racing Corruption Scandal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Kieren Fallon, the six-time champion flat jockey, and 10 others have been charged with corruption in a major horse racing scandal involving Betfair, an online betting exchange. The charges stem from an extensive police investigation that began in January 2004 and has cost the authorities hundreds of thousands of pounds. Fallon, 41, was charged with conspiracy to defraud customers of Betfair in connection with more than 90 races between December 2002 and September 2004.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kieren Fallon, a six-time champion flat jockey, was charged with conspiracy to defraud customers of Betfair.
  • 10 others, including fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch, 28, and Darren Williams, 27, and trainer Alan Berry, were also charged.
  • The charges relate to allegations of race-fixing in over 90 races between December 2002 and September 2004.
  • The investigation, led by the City of London Police, involved 130 officers and resulted in 34 arrests, 500 interviews, and 1,300 statements.
  • The licences of Lynch and Williams had "expired" as a result of the charges, said the HRA.
  • The former owner Miles Rodgers faces an additional charge under the Proceeds of Crime Act, as do several others.
  • Those released without charge include Karl Burke, a Yorkshire trainer, Robert Winston, a jockey, and Paul Bradley, a former jockey.
  • Fallon is licensed in Ireland, where he can continue racing, with the Irish Turf Club stating that he is innocent until proven guilty.
  • The inquiry has been looking at over 80 races, with at least 19 addresses raided and nearly 40,000 pages of evidence passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Statistics:

  • The investigation began in January 2004.
  • Over 90 races were involved in the corruption scandal, between December 2002 and September 2004.
  • 130 police officers worked on the case, resulting in 34 arrests.
  • 500 interviews were conducted, with 1,300 statements obtained.
  • Nearly 40,000 pages of evidence were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.
  • 19 addresses were raided as part of the investigation.

Sources:

  • "Jockey Kieren Fallon Charged in Corruption Scandal"
  • "Horse Racing Corruption Charges Shake the Sport"
  • "Betfair probe yields 34 arrests"
  • City of London Police
  • Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA)

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