Bradley fails to overturn ban

The now-retired Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning rider, 45, had already lost a High Court challenge to the April 2003 disqualification order following proceedings before the Jockey Club's disciplinary committee and appeal board.

Now the Court Of Appeal has thrown out his claim the length of the ban was "excessive interference" in his right to work.

Ian Glen QC, representing Bradley, told the Master Of The Rolls, Lord Phillips, and Lords Justices Buxton and Scott Baker: "The effect of the ban on his proposed career as a bloodstock agent will be even longer than five years because the prospect of starting up again is uncertain to say the least."

He said the information Bradley gave never had any impact on the result of the races and he believed the passing of information was common practice among jockeys. But Lord Phillips described the appeal as "hopeless".

Although the jockey, who is barred from having anything to do with racing until October 2009, faces financial ruin, Lord Phillips said the impact on his livelihood had been balanced against the need to uphold the "integrity of racing".

The judge said the court only had a "supervisory jurisdiction" over the Jockey Club and it was not for judges to put their own views in place of those of the club when assessing Bradley's behaviour.

The former jockey was ordered to pay the Jockey Club's 26,000 legal costs of the appeal, which will be added to the costs of the High Court hearing, making a total estimated at more than 100,000.

Bradley said after the hearing: "I was hopeful going in there this morning, but it was very disappointing. They discussed it for five minutes, came back in and didn't want to even hear from the Jockey Club QC.

"I have had a lot of support from a lot of people as what I have been found guilty of does not warrant taking away somebody's life, their respect, self-esteem, dignity and right to earn a living.

"The next step would the European Court Of Human Rights, and that would be another two or three years down the line and another six-figure sum. I have fought all along for myself and while going down that route would mean selling the house, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that I will."

Jockey Club spokesman Owen Byrne said: "We are very pleased that the Master Of The Rolls and his colleagues have backed up the decision of Mr Justice Richards and the Jockey Club's appeal board."

The disqualification was imposed in the wake of Bradley's appearance at Southampton Crown Court in September 2001, when he gave evidence at the trial of a friend who was later acquitted of drugs charges.

During his evidence, he stated that he had received presents in the form of nights out and the occasional flight, and cash payments, from a man called Brian Wright in return for privileged racing information.

The former jockey retired in December 1999 after 17 years in the saddle.

Meanwhile, Kevin Darley has decided to appeal against the ten-day ban he received from the Ayr stewards on Monday.

He was found guilty of easing down before the line when beaten a short head into fourth place on Meaningful in the five-runner EBF Maiden Stakes at the Scottish track.

Darley's suspension starts on 22 July and would rule him out of both the King George meeting at Newbury and all five days of Glorious Goodwood.

The jump racing fraternity turned out in force yesterday to attend the funeral of jockey Tom Halliday, 20, who died from injuries sustained in a fall at Market Rasen at the beginning of this month.

Leading jockeys, including Tony McCoy, Richard Johnson, Timmy Murphy and Ruby Walsh, were at the service in Christ The King Church in Crossflatts, near Bradford.

With over 300 mourners present, many had to listen to loudspeakers outside.