Phone row: What they say

Jockeys have called for a neutral party to resolve the mobile phone row which has divided horse racing.

The dispute, which led to Sunday's meeting at Sandown being cancelled, is heading for court after various talks failed to reach a compromise.

Now Martin Cruddace, solicitor for the 110 jockeys, says an independent mediator should be called in to help negotiations between the riders and the Jockey Club.

Jockeys are currently banned from using their phones from half an hour before racing until the last race has started.

The restrictions were introduced in an effort to boost racing's integrity, and prevent inside information being passed onto punters.

Calls have to be made on a Jockey Club phone, although racing's regulators have changed the rules again from Friday for a trial period.

Under the new restrictions, jockeys can make calls using their own phones and check for messages in a designated area.

But phones must be switched off during the restricted period and no calls can be received.

Cruddace was unimpressed by the latest development.

"Unfortunately it has been a pattern of this dispute that the Jockey Club announced new concessions without any opportunity being given to my clients to comment upon them," he said.

LATEST JOCKEY PROPOSALS Special weighing room phone zone for riders to make calls Allowed to have phones switched on throughout No access to their phones outside the zone No outgoing text messages Callers must register with security officers

The solicitor has recommended seven new proposals to the jockey club, which centre on a special phone zone where riders can make calls.

He pointed out that sensitive information could be passed on by trainers and stable staff, as well as jockeys.

Unless a compromise is found, the dispute looks likely to be settled in the High Court.

The Jockey Club felt compelled to act initially after a corruption court case which revealed privileged information was being passed by phone.

Despite making numerous concessions, the club still wants incoming calls forbidden.

Robinson explains jockeys' view

Public relations director John Maxse said Cruddace's proposals would be considered.

But Maxse added: "The request that jockeys leave their phones on and receive incoming calls presents a problem for the Jockey Club as there is no audit trail or control over those calls."

The jockeys, led by Philip Robinson, say the rules are "unrealistic", as the nature of a jockey's work is almost impossible without unrestricted access to a mobile.

The Jockey Club's new rules are set to begin on Friday for a trial period until the end of the year - replacing the blanket ban on mobiles which came into force on 1 September.

JOCKEY CLUB RESTRICTIONS Personal phones switched off 30 mins before racing Calls must be logged and made in special 'phone zone' All incoming calls and outward text messages banned Trainers to phone instructions to jockeys via designated phones Jockey Club to have open access to jockeys' phone logs Only Jockey Club-provided phones to be used outside 'phone zone'

A special 'phone zone' will be created, adjacent to the clerk of the scales in the weighing room.

Mobiles must still be switched off from 30 minutes before racing until the start of the last race on the card.

The Jockey Club has also made provision for the riders to receive calls direct from trainers who are off course using the mobile phone of the trainers' representative.

Michael Caulfield, chief executive of the Jockeys' Association, said the new restrictions did not resolve the initial dispute - which centred on jockeys being unhappy at having to switch off phones 30 minutes before racing until the start of the last race on the card

Julian Richmond-Watson, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, said his organisation had listened to jockeys' concerns, but wanted to balance that with the need to preserve the sport's integrity - and said he felt the amended restrictions were a valid compromise.

"I am disappointed the jockeys find our position unacceptable, but my message to them is that further protests will achieve nothing," he said.

"If they feel they've got a case, we need to go to court to settle this."