British Horseracing Authority charge probe four jockeys

Greg Fairley, a jockey who has ridden for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, as well as UAE businessman Jaber Abdullah, has been named along with three other jockeys in an investigation on ethics by the British Horseracing Authority.

LONDON // Greg Fairley has been charged by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) alongside 12 other individuals for serious breaches of the rules of racing.

Fairley, a British jockey, is attached to Mark Johnston's stable, where he rides horses for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, as well as Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the UAE, and Jaber Abdullah, the prominent UAE businessman.

Following an investigation into suspicious betting activity into 10 races that took place in Britain between 17 January 2009 and 15 August 2009, Fairley and fellow jockeys Paul Doe, Kirsty Milczarek and Jimmy Quinn were charged with a breach of Rule 201(v) of the old Rules of Racing, alleging they conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice. The jockeys were additionally charged with a breach of Rule 243 of the old Rules of Racing, that alleges they communicated directly or indirectly to one or more betting exchange account holders for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, for information relating to the prospects of horses.

If found guilty they could be disqualified for up to 25 years.

Fairley has ridden 15 horses for the Crown Prince this season, as well as one each for Sheikh Hamdan and Abdullah, but there is no suggestion that any of the mounts for those owners are under suspicion.

The charges specify his involvement in three races in which he rode The Staffy, King Of Legend and Obe Gold all to lose.

"The charges issued by the Authority today are the result of a lengthy, detailed and complex investigation, following suspicious betting activity on more than one betting exchange and with traditional bookmakers," Chris Brand, the acting chief executive of the BHA, said. "Protecting the integrity of racing is a key priority for the Authority.

"In recent years, we have invested heavily into a wide-ranging infrastructure of investigatory services designed to monitor and combat integrity threats to our sport. ...

"Racegoers and punters should be reassured that the overwhelming majority of races are free of suspicion and we are committed to deterring and detecting wrong-doing and taking action when we believe there is evidence of it."