Fallon race-fixing trial gets under way
Fallon, 42, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud customers of the betting exchange Betfair by fixing the results of races.
Fallon, who denies the charges, will stand trial at the Old Bailey with two other jockeys — Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams. Three other individuals also face the charges. They are Miles Rogers, formerly a director of the Platinum Racing Club syndicate, Lynch’s brother Shaun and Philip Sherkle.
Fallon, stable jockey to John Magnier’s Coolmore operation, was arrested in 2004 as part of a City of London Police investigation, codenamed Operation Crypton, that looked into more than 80 races over a two-year period.
Police alleged that the men conspired together and with persons unknown to defraud Betfair by dishonestly “agreeing not to permit diverse horses ridden by Fergal Lynch, Kieren Fallon or Darren Williams to run on their merits in that riding practices would, if necessary, be used, which would interfere with the running of the horses and affect the result” and by laying both horses to lose on the exchange provided.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2002 and September 2004.
Clare-born Fallon has been unable to ride in Britain since being charged, though he has been free to ride in Ireland and in other countries.
Fallon has been champion jockey in Britain on six occasions, from 1997 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2003.
He has lifted nearly all of flat racing’s major prizes in his 20-year career, including the Epsom Derby three times.
He has also won the Irish Derby twice, France’s top race the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and two Breeders’ Cup races.
If found guilty Fallon faces a possible prison sentence.
The trial is expected to last for several weeks.
