The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has concluded its largest and most complex corruption investigation, banning 11 individuals for a combined total of 66 years and six months. The disciplinary panel found them guilty of serious breaches of racing rules, including conspiracy to stop horses from winning.
The case centred on 10 races at five courses between January and August 2009. Owners Maurice Sines and James Crickmore received 14-year bans for organising a conspiracy where horses were laid to lose on betting exchanges. Former jockeys Paul Doe and Greg Fairley were banned for 12 years for deliberately failing to obtain the best possible placing for their horses.
Current jockeys Kirsty Milczarek and Jimmy Quinn also received bans. Milczarek was banned for two years for conspiring to commit a corrupt practice and passing privileged information. Her solicitor said she plans to appeal, arguing the panel's reasoning is flawed. Quinn, a veteran jockey, received a six-month ban for conspiring to commit a fraudulent practice.
All bans took effect at midnight, preventing the jockeys from riding in scheduled races. Those found guilty have seven days to appeal. BHA security director Paul Scotney said the investigation revealed how Sines and Crickmore corrupted jockeys and cheated at betting using inside information, calling the case unprecedented in scale and complexity.
