Ban will leave my career in ruins, says Fallon

JOCKEY Kieren Fallon said yesterday his career is in ruins unless a ban on riding in Britain — until the conclusion of his trial on race-fixing charges — is lifted.

The Horseracing Regulatory Authority said yesterday Fallon will not be allowed to continue riding in Britain after being charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race-fixing.

Fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, who have also been charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers, will also be banned until after the result of any trial.

In a statement issued on Fallon’s behalf by his solicitors, BCL Burton Copeland, the rider said: “I am obviously devastated by the HRA decision. I always thought that a man was innocent until proved guilty. I cannot understand this decision as I am confident that I have done nothing wrong, and my lawyers are confident that the case against me has no validity whatsoever.

“In fact I am utterly amazed the police were able to charge me based on the evidence I have seen and the questions that they have been asking me this year.

“My livelihood is dependent upon racing and I will be appealing against this decision as it is extremely harsh and inconsistent given the HRA panel’s verdict on Alan Berry published earlier this week.

“I am grateful for the support I have received. However, unless my suspension is lifted my career is in ruins as I cannot ask owners or trainers to support me elsewhere when I am prevented from riding in the UK.”

Fallon, Williams and Lynch were three of 11 people charged by the City Of London Police on Monday. Trainer Alan Berry is the other individual licensed by the HRA to have been charged.

Berry was allowed to continue to train after a hearing on Tuesday at the HRA permitted the Lancashire handler to carry on sending out runners from his Cockerham base.

However, yesterday’s hearing found that Fallon should be prohibited from riding in Britain on his Irish licence “until the conclusion of the trial or further orders”.

While noting the principle of “innocent until proven”, the three-man HRA panel said they had tried to balance the right of an individual to earn a living against the integrity of the sport.

Connell said: “We merely observe that, after extensive investigations and after receiving powerful representation on behalf of Kieren Fallon, the CPS special crime division has decided to prefer the charge of conspiracy against him as we have described.