Four warned by Jockey Club that licences could be subject to review

CHAMPION jockey Kieren Fallon was back in action yesterday along with fellow riders Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, plus trainer Karl Burke, after their shock arrests and subsequent bailing as part of an investigation into alleged race-fixing.

But the licences of all four could be subject to review in the future following a special meeting convened by the Jockey Club to discuss the case.

They will be allowed to continue riding and in Burke’s case training, but their eligibility could come under scrutiny as the investigation proceeds.

A Jockey Club statement read: “A special meeting of the Jockey Club’s regulatory board, chaired by the senior steward, Julian Richmond-Watson, was held today to receive briefings and to consider any necessary action, following the arrests yesterday of 16 individuals, including four licence-holders.

“As a result, the licensing committee has written to the three jockeys and one trainer.

“The correspondence confirms to the four individuals that the licensing committee has concluded that based on the circumstances, the mere fact of their arrest does not justify suspension of their licence.

“However, the letter makes the point that the licensing committee reserves the right to review their licence depending on any developments relating to their arrest and the police investigation.”

Burke and Williams went back to work yesterday and faced the media at Carlisle, where the television companies were out in force, with crews from Border TV, Look North and Sky all present to see the pair team up with Chiselled in the opening Sands Maiden Auction Stakes.

But the 3-1 favourite could manage only second place for the in-the-news duo. Looking tense, Williams was escorted to the paddock by two security men. He did not want to say anything and referred press inquiries to solicitor Andrew Chalk of Withy King, the firm representing both himself and fellow rider Fergal Lynch.

However, Burke was keen to stress that he was not guilty of any wrong-doing. He said: “I’ve done nothing wrong, categorically nothing wrong. I’ve been questioned about a number of people, a list of about 20 people. Did I know them? What was my association with them?

“About five people on the list I knew. The rest I didn’t have a clue who they were.

“The five I won’t name, but they are the obvious ones. We used to train for two of the people who were on the list. I no longer train for them.

“I can only sit and wait and go through the process.

“I haven’t been charged with anything. I’ve got to appear back on November 2 and hopefully that will conclude the matter.”

Burke and Williams were two of 16 people, including Lynch and Fallon, detained yesterday after a dawn swoop co-ordinated by City Of London police on 19 addresses in Suffolk, Hertfordshire, and North and South Yorkshire.

Everyone arrested was later released on police bail. They will appear at a London police station on November 2.

Burke, 41, had not been at his stables at Spigot Lodge on the edge of Middleham Moor in North Yorkshire when the police arrived at 5am yesterday.

“It wasn’t a very nice experience, but it was worse for my family. I wasn’t at home,” he continued.

“It was my 20th wedding anniversary yesterday so I’d already planned a surprise meal for my wife (Elaine). We went to Ripon races and then on to the Crab And Lobster at Thirsk and stayed there, and then I was due to go to York yesterday.

“I always call in at 7.15am when I’m away from home and things were well under way by then.

“My eldest daughter, Kelly, took the brunt of it, but she coped very well. They said they had a warrant to search the house. They’ve taken both computers, phone book and mobile phone.”

With much of the investigation surrounding betting patterns, the Jockey Club has liaised throughout with the principal exchange firm, Betfair.

“I said to them (the police) I’ve never even looked at Betfair on the website. I’ve never been into that,” Burke added. “I’ve nothing to hide and I’ll help the police as much as I can.”

Williams finished unplaced on his three other rides on the card, Kaggamagic (Border Construction Nursery), Pharoah’s Gold (Carlisle Glass Handicap) and Saddler’s Quest (Battle Holme Handicap). Williams, 22, has ridden 158 career winners, including 43 so far this season.