Fallon appeal confirmed for Wednesday
Kieren Fallon has lodged an appeal against his suspension from riding in Britain.
It will heard in Fallon’s absence by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority appeal board at 5pm on Wednesday and will be chaired by former High Court judge Sir Roger Buckley.
“It is the time when his representatives and the appeal board could meet,” said the HRA’s public relations manager Paul Struthers.
A week ago the six-times champion was charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race-fixing. Any trial in the case is not expected to be before spring 2007.
On Friday, a special panel of the HRA made an order prohibiting him from riding in races in Britain “until the conclusion of the trial or further orders”.
Licensed by the Irish Turf Club, Fallon is still allowed to ride in other countries and was in action in Ireland and France over the weekend.
Fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams were also charged by the City of London Police with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers.
Williams has also lodged an appeal today, but his hearing is unlikely to be heard this week.
“Darren Williams has also appealed. He won’t be available on Wednesday afternoon so we are looking for a date next week for him,” said HRA spokesman Owen Byrne.
Although Lynch has yet to appeal he is expected to follow suit before Friday’s deadline.
“He has seven days to appeal. Fergal is going to appeal, I understand, it’s in the process. I have no reason to believe that his appeal won’t go in,” said John Blake, chief executive of the Jockeys’ Association.
All three jockeys concerned protest their innocence.
Meanwhile, Lynch and Williams will receive compensation from the British Horseracing Board for loss of earnings.
BHB acting chief executive Chris Brand said: “At its meeting today, and following the invitation by the special panel of the HRA last Friday, the BHB Board agreed to commence ex gratia payments, at the relevant Professional Riders’ Insurance Scheme rates, to jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams.
“The payments will be kept under review, and are liable to be affected should the financial circumstances of either individual change significantly.”
