Champion jockey Fallon arrested
LONDON, England -- Champion jockey Kieren Fallon was one of 16 people arrested on Wednesday by police probing alleged fixing of horse races around Great Britain.
Fallon, who was later released on bail, two other jockeys and a trainer, was held by City of London police after a series of raids across England.
English Derby winner Fallon is already under investigation by the Jockey Club after a tabloid newspaper 'sting' earlier this year.
Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams have been named as the other two jockeys, together with trainer Karl Burke.
More than 130 police officers raided 19 addresses across Suffolk, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Hertfordshire and arrested 16 people for alleged conspiracy to defraud.
It is understood that the allegations involve more than 80 races over the last two years.
"Of the people we have arrested three are jockeys and one is a horse trainer," said Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Wilmott of City of London Police.
"We have amassed a large amount of information, including computer records and documentation seized today, and will now commence the detailed task of examining it all."
City of London Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Bowron said his force, based in London's financial district, was leading the investigation because of its experience in dealing with large-scale fraud.
"We are very pleased to have taken the lead role in this operation, which spans the whole of the country. This case is of great national significance not just to the racing community but to the wider public throughout the U.K.," Bowron said.
Glittering career
Six-times champion Fallon has won the English Derby three times in a glittering career, guiding North Light to victory in the 2004.
He is leading this year's championship but in the light of Wednesday's developments leading bookmakers have suspended betting on the outcome.
A Jockey Club inquiry into disrepute charges against Fallon and fellow jockey John Egan is also due to start this month.
Proceedings against the jockeys date back to allegations brought by undercover News of the World reporters in March.
The newspaper alleged that Fallon told undercover journalists before a race at Lingfield that eventual winner Rye would beat his mount Ballinger Ridge. Fallon was found guilty of not riding out for first place on Ballinger Ridge, which was beaten a short head by Rye, and he served a 21-day suspension for the offence.
Fallon and Egan were also informed the following month by the Jockey Club that they would have to attend a hearing to try to establish whether they had acted in a manner prejudicial to the integrity and good reputation of horseracing in respect of their dealings with undercover reporters.
A charge of accepting money or benefit in kind for tips was dropped, but the pair are still due to face a charge of bringing racing into disrepute. Both jockeys strenuously deny all the allegations.
