Fallon rode 'brilliant race' on Queen's horse, court told

Kieren Fallon rode a “brilliant” race on the Queen’s horse said to have been destined to lose in a betting scam, the Old Bailey in London heard today.

Fallon won on Daring Aim at Newmarket on July 2004 but the prosecution alleges she was one of 27 horses on which large bets were laid on it losing.

Trainer Michael Stoute, 62, said: “It was a brilliant ride. She was not helping him.”

Stoute also had praise for Fallon’s ability a month earlier when Krynica won at Pontefract in June 2004.

After watching the race again, he said: “He is squeezing her and encouraging her.

“It is beautiful horsemanship – and she was not very good.”

Six-time champion jockey Fallon was retained by the veteran trainer at his Newmarket stables between 2000 and 2004.

Asked by John Kelsey-Fry, QC, defending, what motivated him – money or winning - Stoute said: “While he was with me it had been the pursuit of winning.”

It is alleged Fallon was involved in a plot to prevent horses running on their merits to allow a crooked betting syndicate to win on internet betting exchange, Betfair.

Fallon and fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch, and Darren Williams, deny the conspiracy between December 2002 and August 2004.

Lynch’s brother, Shaun Lynch, 38, professional gambler Miles Rodgers, 38, and Philip Sherkle, 42, also plead not guilty.

Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.

All the defendants are on bail.