RACING BETTING INVESTIGATION:CO WEXFORD-born rider Jimmy Quinn got an unwanted birthday present yesterday when he was one of four jockeys charged by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) with breaking anti-corruption rules.
Quinn, originally from New Ross, and a Group One-winner, turned 44 yesterday, but the date coincided with confirmation that 13 people in total have been charged by the BHA after a long-running investigation into suspicious betting activity on 10 races between January 17th and August 15th in 2009.
Paul Doe, Grey Fairley and Kirsty Milczarek are the other jockeys facing charges that they prevented horses running on their merits. Paul Fitzsimons, also a jockey at the time, but now a trainer, has also been charged, as have two registered owners.
Each of the jockeys is charged that “they communicated directly or indirectly to one or more betting exchange account holders, for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, information relating to the prospects of the named horse”.
As well as being charged for allegedly passing on information for reward, each of the jockeys has also been charged with “intentionally failing to ensure that their horse was run on its merits”.
Doe has been charged in relation to five races combining both charges. The races took place at Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Kempton and Bath. Fairley has been charged in relation to four races, Quinn with two and Milczarek and Fitzsimons with one race each.
An independent disciplinary panel hearing has been set for October 20th and is scheduled to last 10 days. The penalty for such offences ranges from five to 25 years’ disqualification.
Yesterday, Quinn’s solicitor said: “Jimmy is pulling his hair out and is particularly frustrated. He feels he has co-operated fully with the investigation, having answered all of the appropriate questions with honesty.
“He is dismayed at the charges and is adamant he has done nothing wrong.”
Quinn is one of the most high-profile lightweight jockeys in Britain and enjoyed his finest moment when winning the 2007 Nunthorpe Stakes on Kingsgate Native.
