Court to hear case over suspicious horse betting

The High Court is being asked to stop the Irish Turf Club carrying out a disciplinary hearing tomorrow into allegations of suspicious betting.

Jockey Eddie O’Connell of Monasterevin, Co Kildare, and horse trainer James Lambe of Kilmore, Armagh are being investigated in connection with a race in Downpatrick in September 2010.

The court has heard professional jockey Eddie O’Connell and trainer James Lambe are accused of involvement in what’s alleged to be a highly unusual betting event.

An individual in the UK put down a £10,000 lay bet that the horse Eddie O’Connell was riding would not come in the top 3 at the Kerry Food European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase in Downpatrick in September 2010.

The jockey denies any wrongdoing. He and the horse’s trainer James Lambe have brought legal proceedings challenging the authority of the Irish Turf Club to make up and enforce the rules of racing.

Until their case is decided they want the court to grant them an injunction stopping a disciplinary hearing at the Turf Club tomorrow.

In a sworn statement Eddie O’Connell described as ruinous the potential sanctions the turf club can impose such as a racing ban and a fine of up to €20,000.