Jockey loses appeal against suspension in Britain

JOCKEY Kieren Fallon will go to the High Court “and beyond if necessary” after losing an appeal against his suspension from riding in Britain.

Having adjourned Fallon’s case after hearing submissions from the rider’s legal team last night, the appeal board of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority upheld their decision to prohibit him from riding in Britain at Shaftesbury Avenue yesterday morning.

In a statement released through his solicitors, BCL Burton Copeland, Fallon said: “I am deeply disappointed by the refusal of the HRA to overturn my suspension from riding in the UK. I will now take the matter to the High Court, and beyond if necessary, to reinstate my rights to earn a living in the UK and participate in the sport I love.

“Until I have the chance to prove my innocence in court, it is grossly unfair that I am being denied a living in Britain.”

The six-times champion was last week charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race-fixing.

Any trial in the case is not expected to take place before spring 2007.

A HRA statement read: “The board received the panel’s decision and reasons and mindful of the serious criminal charges now outstanding against Kieren Fallon, decided that the panel’s decision to decline to consider any of the presently available evidence was correct. Further, that the decision to prohibit him from riding in races in Great Britain until the conclusion of his trial or further order was justified.

“The appeal is dismissed.”

The HRA revealed Fallon’s grounds for appeal were that “the decision had the effect of denying him his right to earn a living, and would also effectively end his career as a leading jockey and is disproportionate and accordingly unlawful”.

Fallon and his team also felt “the panel erred in law in declining to take into account any evidence and/or submissions on behalf of the appellant (Fallon) in respect of the underlying criminal charges which were the basis for the HRA’s decision to prohibit him”.

The HRA said the board was asked by Fallon’s representatives to provide written reasons for its decision. It said these would be produced as soon as possible.

John Blake, chief executive of the Jockeys’ Association, said: “We will wait and see the outcome of the written reasons for the dismissal (of the appeal), which should be available (today).

“Obviously we will look forward to learning the reasons for the decision.”

Fallon, along with fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, was charged with conspiracy to defraud by the City of London police on July 3.

Licensed by the Irish Turf Club, Fallon, 41, is still allowed to ride in other countries and landed a treble at Naas on Wednesday night.

He was also in action at Gowran Park last evening, where he has four rides.

Williams and Lynch hold British licences and will not be allowed to ride until after the conclusion of any trial.

Williams has launched an appeal — although a date has yet to be arranged — while Lynch has until 5pm today to follow suit.

However, the two jockeys will receive compensation from the British Horseracing Board for loss of earnings. All three jockeys deny any wrongdoing.