Jockeys to answer HRA charges

Jockeys Robert Winston, Fran Ferris, Robbie Fitzpatrick and Luke Fletcher face allegations by British racing’s regulators that they “passed on information for reward and or aided and abetted the commission of a corrupt practice”.

Following the Horseracing Regulatory Authority’s (HRA) security department investigation, the riders, former licensed bookmaker Ian Nicholl and four other unlicensed individuals – Kim Evans, Paul Glendenning, Joanne Roberts and Tegan Wilde – have been informed of the various charges in relation to 37 races that took place between June 2003 and February 2004.

Winston rode in 21 of the races, Fletcher 10, Ferris four and Fitzpatrick two.

John Blake, chief executive of the Jockeys Association of Great Britain, said: “The jockeys involved have been co-operating with this, some of them for over two years now.

“This inquiry affords them the opportunity to have their cases heard. Clearly these are very serious charges which they are able to have a full opportunity to address the panel on.

“We are concerned for the profession and the image of the sport as a whole. Nobody feels that more sharply than the Jockeys’ Association.”

Nicholl is charged with “committing a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to racing”.

Evans, Glendenning, Roberts and Wilde are alleged to have “aided and abetted Nicholl’s commission of such a corrupt or fraudulent practice”.

A directions hearing has been scheduled at HRA headquarters in Shaftesbury Avenue for September 27, at which time it is hoped a timetable will be set for the progression of the inquiry.