Fallon won more races during 'plot to lose'

Six time champion jockey Kieren Fallon won on more horses than he normally would when he was alleged to be part of a plot to lose races, the UK's Old Bailey was told today.

Fallon and five others deny conspiring to lose to allow a betting syndicate to win money.

Three jockeys, including Fallon, are alleged to have not allowed 27 horses to race on their merits.

The court has been told Fallon rode 17 of the horses between March and August 2004, winning five of the races.

John Kelsey-Fry QC, for Fallon, read out an undisputed statement which said his average of first places during the period was 19%.

However, he added: “Kieren Fallon’s strike rate on the 17 horses alleged to be part of the conspiracy rose to 29.4%.”

Jockeys Fallon (aged 42), formerly of Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, but now of Tipperary, Ireland, Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, and Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, deny the charges.

Shaun Lynch (aged 38), of Belfast, Rodgers (aged 38), of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, and Philip Sherkle (aged 42), of Tamworth, Staffordshire, also plead not guilty.

Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime. All the defendants are on bail.

The trial was adjourned until Friday.