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Last Updated: Friday, 3 September, 2004, 09:50 GMT 10:50 UK
Fallon slams fixing claims
Kieren Fallon is flanked by a security man at Salisbury races
Champion Flat jockey Kieren Fallon has described claims he was involved in race-fixing as "a complete joke".

Fallon was among 16 people, including two other jockeys and a racing trainer, arrested in dawn raids on Wednesday and later released on bail.

"I haven't got involved in anything. I make enough money through my prize money, riding fees and stallion rights," he told the Daily Mirror.

"We all know you can't fix races - it only happens in a fairytale world."

Fallon returned to the saddle on Thursday for six rides at Salisbury, but without success.

He was escorted by course security personnel all day as he made his way from the weighing room at the course to the parade ring.

Fallon added: "The whole thing is a complete joke. I've done nothing different to what I have done over the last few years. It's not in my nature - I've never done it and I never will.

"Obviously I've left myself a bit more open than I should have sometimes. I should have been more careful but that's the top and bottom of it."

We do not anticipate this going any further
Christopher Stewart-Moore
Kieren Fallon's solicitor

The other arrested jockeys, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, also returned to action on Thursday.

Lynch returned to winning ways when Caitlin won the Cray Fish Nursery at Redcar at 12-1.

Williams also drew a blank from his four rides, having just failed to take the Sands Maiden Auction Stakes at Carlisle on Chiselled, trained by Karl Burke who was another of those arrested on Wednesday.

Burke refuted the race-fixing claims and said: "I've done nothing wrong, categorically nothing wrong."

All of the 16 arrested were released on bail by Thursday morning and will return to a police station in London in two months.

Fallon's lawyer said he expected the six-time champion jockey to be cleared of all allegations.

Solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said: "The circumstances that relate to his arrest involve an individual who Kieren Fallon met on one occasion.

"In the circumstances, we do not anticipate this going any further."

The probe hinges on records of irregular betting provided by internet betting exchange Betfair.

Paul Scotney, head of the Jockey Club's security department, explained: "It became apparent that what started out as a possible breach of racing's rules had uncovered evidence which indicated criminal activity.

"Consequently, we decided to refer the matter to the City of London Police.

"Our decision also took into account that the Jockey Club has no powers of search or arrest."

This is good news that something is being done - it's not being swept under the carpet as has happened in the past
John McCririck
Following the arrests, a Betfair spokesman revealed: "Some of the evidence resulted from the sophisticated technology now available, where all bets can be tracked.

"It is a tremendously powerful weapon in assisting to keep the sport clean."

TV pundit and and betting expert John McCririck said the arrests would damage racing's image.

"People will be asking was that race crooked or was that horse trying?" he said.

But he welcomed the investigation.

"What has brought all this to the surface is the emergence of the exchanges, where you can not only back a horse but lay them to lose," he added.

"Previously, only bookmakers could lay a horse to lose and you had to have a licence and there weren't too many of them, but now there is a paper trail.

"This is good news that something is being done - it's not being swept under the carpet as has happened in the past. "




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