HRA schedule hearings for charged jockeys
The trio, along with Cockerham-based trainer Alan Berry, were charged yesterday with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers.
The riders’ licences have expired as a result of them being charged, while Berry will be prevented from entering or declaring a horse.
However, the Horseracing Regulatory Authority has set aside time today and on Friday for a special panel to hear representations from those affected.
Berry is due to appear at noon today while the other three will appear on Friday at times to be announced.
In a statement the HRA said: “The City of London Police have today charged a number of individuals with criminal offences in relation to horseracing. Some of those individuals charged are licensed by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (the HRA).
“In accordance with conditions which were attached to their licences when they were issued, those licences expire immediately or are limited as follows:
“Fergal Lynch, jockey – licence expired pending hearing.
“Darren Williams, jockey – licence expired pending hearing.
“Alan Berry, trainer – no entries or declarations accepted pending hearing.
“Kieren Fallon, jockey – licensed in Ireland – prohibited from riding in Great Britain (under Rule 1Axxv) pending hearing.
“Hearings before a special panel of the HRA will be convened on the July 4 and 7 so that these individuals may make early representations to support their applications for new licences or for restrictions on their licences to be lifted.
“Alan Berry’s hearing will take place at 12pm on Tuesday, July 4, and the hearings of Kieren Fallon, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams will take place on Friday, July 7 at times to be confirmed.
“The panel, chaired by Sir Michael Connell, a former High Court judge and a director of the HRA, will consider each such case individually and is likely to announce its conclusions to those concerned once all the representations have been heard.
“Thereafter these findings will be announced by Sir Michael Connell to the press in a formal statement as soon as possible after the hearings are concluded.
“All of those charged were made aware of these measures earlier this year either when issued with their current licence or via communication from the HRA.
“The jockeys will not be able to take up any rides, including ones for which they are booked today, until the outcomes of their hearings are known.
“Likewise Alan Berry will not be able to make any further entries or declarations and any already made will be withdrawn, with the exception of horses due to run today which will be able to take up their engagements.
“Those licensed people released from bail today are free to continue their work as normal.
“As part of our regulatory duty, we are required to liaise with the police regarding any matters they have inquired into to ensure no further regulatory action is necessary.”
