Irish pair disqualified by BHA for laying horse in lease agreement
The BHA disciplinary panel held an inquiry on May 7 to look into events surrounding the Romney Marsh Mares’ Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race, where the mare was pulled-up as the 5-4 favourite.
The Phelans had bought Itsallaracket the previous month and entered into a lease agreement with Irish trainer Seamus Lynch, stating all earnings and costs accrued until the end of the season were to be Lynch’s.
However, they were reminded that under British rules, even lessors within the term ’Owners’ or those who have leased a horse to someone else, are not allowed to bet against it.
Meanwhile the British Horseracing Authority have charged eight people, including trainer Jeff Pearce and jockey Jerry O’Dwyer, over the running and riding of a horse at Lingfield two years ago.
Former Classic-winning trainer Geoff Huffer is one of the other individuals to have been charged following Sabre Light’s fifth-placed finish in the Holly And The Ivy Claiming Stakes on December 17, 2008.
The five other individuals to have been charged are Gary Banham, Mark Benton, Peter Root, Sharon Williams and Fran O’Brien.
A disciplinary panel hearing will be convened in due course.
The BHA had been alerted over the betting patterns before the race and Pearce has been charged for breaching a number of the rules of racing.
These include 201 (v) – committing or conspiring with others for the commission of a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to racing.
It is alleged that rather than Sabre Light running in the race on his merits, he ran to lose so he could be laid to make a profit.
Pearce is also charged for concealing Sabre Light’s true ownership, for failing to reveal to the BHA the existence of a second mobile phone when interviewed, and for passing on inside information to Huffer about horses not owned by him for material reward or benefit.
Huffer, who is alleged to have owned Sabre Light, faces charges of similar breaches, for laying him to lose and for misleading the BHA.
The pair could face suspension or exclusion from racing from six months to 10 years.
O’Dwyer is charged with a breach of Rule 157 – intentionally failing to ensure Sabre Light ran on his merits – and would also face a lengthy disqualification.
The BHA reveal the various betting accounts accounts risked just under £109,000 on the race and won just under £30,000.
Banham, Benton, Root and Williams face charges of being involved with laying or instructing to lay Sabre Light while O’Brien is alleged to have held himself out as the owner.
