Jockey texted ‘they are watching me’ after race, court told

KIEREN FALLON sent a “revealing” series of text messages the day after winning a race that he was supposed to have lost as part of a race-fixing plot, a court heard yesterday.

The conspirators behind the plot calculated that his victory on Daring Aim at Newmarket had cost them £138,000, an Old Bailey jury was told.

However, Fallon told Philip Sherkle, the alleged middleman in the scheme, how he feared: “They are watching me.”

Fallon rode Daring Aim, which was owned by the Queen, to victory in the 6.15pm at Newmarket on July 23, 2004.

Jonathan Caplan QC, prosecuting, told jurors at Fallon’s trial on race-fixing charges that the next day there followed a “revealing set of text messages” between the jockey and Sherkle.

Sherkle was allegedly the intermediary between Fallon and businessman Miles Rodgers, said to be at the centre of the conspiracy. At 11.08am, Fallon texted Sherkle: “Only this phone to use.”

One minute later, Fallon wrote: “I will call you when I can.”

At 12.17pm, Sherkle texted Fallon: “If u don’t speak to me now I won’t be able to help you.”

Then at 12.22pm, Fallon replied: “They will take my licences off me, if they drift like that last night. They are watching me.”

Ten minutes later he texted: “I will call you in 10 minutes.”

There were two other texts to and from Sherkle found in Fallon’s mobile, Mr Caplan told the jury.

One was sent at 7.17pm on July 27, from Sherkle.

“I am away weds morning just text as normal make sure u do please I don’t want any grief from them when I get back thanks. hope u have a good week”

An undated message from Fallon to Sherkle: “no I can’t chance it”.

Jurors heard the texts were found on an unregistered mobile in the glove compartment of his car. The only number stored was Sherkle’s phone under the name ‘Bil’, the court heard.

Mr Caplan also explained that Betfair, one of the leading internet betting exchanges, was a no-risk bookmaker. It will only accept a bet if it is matched by another customer and makes a guaranteed profit by taking a commission of between two and five per cent from any winnings.

The court heard they became suspicious in December 2002 when Rodgers laid heavy bets on the horse Legal Set, owned by his company Platinum Racing.

They closed down his account for four days before reinstating it and later shared information with the Jockey Club.

The court heard that in relation to one race, Ballinger Ridge in the 3.30pm at Lingfield on March 2, 2003, the stewards were aware that £60,000 had been laid on it to lose. However, of the 27 races said to be part of the conspiracy only two were subject to a stewards’ enquiry, Ballinger Ridge and CD Europe on February 18, 2003.