Way cleared for Fallon to return next September

Published on Friday 28 November 2008 21:28

KIEREN Fallon looks set to return to the saddle in September 2009 after the British Horseracing Authority announced it had concluded its investigation into laying activity on 27 races which took place in 2003 and 2004.

The six-time champion jockey will also not face any further action from the British Horseracing Authority in relation to last year's Old Bailey trial, which ended in Fallon and five others being found not guilty of all charges.

Fallon is serving a worldwide suspension having tested positive for cocaine in France, but it is anticipated that he will be back in the saddle when that ban ceases in ten months' time.

In a statement the BHA said Fallon "accepted that his attitude to inside information has in the past been reckless, conceding that he has been too free with such information and careless about whom he passed it to."

It added that Fallon has also committed "to accept a rigorous regime to ensure he is and remains both drug free, and compliant with Rules of Racing regarding the use of inside information."

The authority also noted that any penalty from the Bennett investigation would be unlikely to extend Fallon's current suspension, and that he was also banned between July 2006 and December 2007 in relation to the collapsed Old Bailey investigation.

Fallon, who is in the United States, will have to appear before a licensing panel of the BHA before resuming his right to ride.

The announcement was made as the governing body concluded its investigation into the laying activity of 27 races in 2003 and 2004 by Mark, Bruce and Lloyd Bennett, which also included fellow riders Dean Mernagh and the recently disqualified Dean McKeown.

McKeown is a disqualified person until November 2012 from a separate case although he is appealing against that penalty, while Mernagh is unlicensed and would have to appear before the licensing committee to satisfy them about his suitability to be involved in the sport, and his alleged involvement with the Bennetts will remain on file. The BHA made clear that the rider was not accused of race-fixing.

In respect of last year's City Of London Police investigation that resulted in a near three-month sitting at the Old Bailey, the BHA continues to work towards a conclusion.

Fergal Lynch, who is now based in America, Miles Rodgers and Darren Williams could face charges in relation to evidence obtained from the Crown Prosecution Service, but Fallon will be unaffected.