Blockley and McKeown warned off

TRAINER Paul Blockley and jockey Dean McKeown have been declared disqualified persons having being found in breach of the Rules of Racing by a disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority.

Blockley has been warned off – meaning he cannot entered premises licensed by the BHA or talk to other licensed individuals – for a total of two and a half years, while McKeown has been warned off for four years after the latest investigation into alleged corruption.

The pair, along with seven others, were charged in connection with the laying of horses to lose in 11 races that took place between March 2004 and December 2005. All have seven days on receipt of the panel’s reasons for the punishments to appeal. On leaving the inquiry Blockley said: “I have just come out and need time.”