Brooks trained National Hunt horses including Suny Bay

Former trainer Charlie Brooks has told the High Court in London it was common knowledge that jockeys passed on information to punters.

He was giving evidence on the second day of former jockey Graham Bradley's challenge to a five-year Jockey Club ban.

Bradley claims that the April 2003 disqualification order following proceedings before the Jockey Club's disciplinary committee and appeal board is unlawful.

The 44-year-old, now a bloodstock agent, was banned after being found guilty of passing on privileged racing information for rewards.

His QC, Timothy Higginson, has argued the ban was disproportionate, in breach of contract and an unreasonable restraint of trade.

Brooks told the court that "the vast majority of jockeys had their own 'punter', by which I mean a person to whom that jockey would give tips in return for reward."

He added: "I find it inconceivable that members of the Jockey Club do not know of this practice."

Bradley, now a bloodstock agent, retired as a jockey in 1999

Cross-examined, he was asked if he thought Jockey Club rules relating to accepting money for information were necessary.

He told the court: "I think they are necessary, but I live in a real world. Jockeys and stable staff have information and it would be ludicrous to assume they do not share that information."

Former jump jockey Declan Murphy told the court it was common practice for people with information to share it.

"Those dispensing the information frequently include jockeys and those receiving information may well be punters," he said.

Turning to the penalty imposed on Bradley, he added: "I believe the punishment the Jockey Club have imposed on Graham Bradley does not fit the crime he is perceived to have committed."

The Jockey Club denies turning a blind eye to other jockeys who sold information and singling out Bradley as an example.

Jockey Club executive director Christopher Foster said there was nothing objectionable about information released to the press which went into the public domain.

And he said he was also familiar with tipping hotlines, against which the Jockey Club had no jurisdiction to impose penalties.

He went on: "It is not true to say that the Jockey Club is well aware of the widespread selling or passing on of information such as that for which Mr Bradley was disciplined."

The case is expected to end on Wednesday, when it is anticipated the judge will reserve his judgement and give it in writing at a later stage.