The BBC programme raised allegations of race-fixing, dubious betting networks and jockeys mixing with criminals.

It came just four months after another BBC expose, Kenyon Confronts, used covert footage to show three trainers claiming horses could be prevented from winning certain races in order to lower handicaps.

Since both television revelations, the sport's governing body, the Jockey Club, has faced stern questions from the Government as well as the race-going public over its past and future running of the sport.

The Club is currently putting together a blueprint of how racing should be regulated following negotiations with Sports Minister Richard Caborn.

But that body appears to have survived the most damning indictment of its 250-year history and looks destined to stay in control of racing.

Caborn was among those to give it his backing, insisting there was no need for "new arrangements for the regulation of racing".

The other major shake-up for the Jockey Club of late was the resignation of security chief Jeremy Phipps.

Phipps' position became untenable when he was captured on a hidden camera saying the organisation was lacking in "backbone".

Horse racing, as a whole though, has been hit by further controversy in the interim.

Last month Flat racing trainer Patrick Chamings raised fears of a fresh doping scandal after an odds-on favourite was beaten by 20 lengths in a three-horse race.

Binanti had been heavily fancied for victory at Ascot on 12 October but struggled with the pace even before the midway point.

Chamings warned the horse had been "got at" prior to the race.

And last Thursday, the latest controversy reached its conclusion when jockey Dean Gallagher was banned from riding for 18 months.

Gallagher had tested positive for cocaine at Newton Abbot back in September and was handed the ban by the Jockey Club.

Afterwards he said: "It is highly unlikely that I will return to race riding."

Doping charges

This week, further dirty laundry was publicly aired when trainer Ferdy Murphy and jockey Dermot Browne were both found guilty in separate Jockey Club hearings.

Murphy had been charged with bringing the sport into disrepute after claiming on Kenyon Confronts that money had been made on the defeat of his horse during a race in February.

As a result he was fined �4,000.

The previously banned Browne was handed a massive 20-year suspension for horse doping, after revealing yet more wrongdoings.

Horse racing looks set for another rough ride.