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Your correct Pru
The police investigation led them to believe there was a case to answer which led to it being handed over to the CPS.
TDK,
I think you need to clarify this – do you mean that no criminal conviction will be possible, or do you extend that to suggest that the BHA will be unable to correctly enforce the rules of racing?
I’m not actually sure why you are connecting the outcome of this case so closely with the much wider of isue of coruption in racing. I certainly don’t view this acquittal as an indication that ‘racing is straight’. Nor do I overlook the evidence presented that Fallon and others broke the rules concerning the passing of information – but they have already served a longer ban than would be likely if the BHA had pursued this case without involving the police.
AP
Regarding the point that Wallace and myself have made, I thought this statement made by Paul Struthers, PR Manager for the BHA makes interesting reading.
“The British Horseracing Authority will now review all the available evidence presented in the criminal trial to determine if there have been breaches of the Rules of Racing that would require it to take disciplinary action. This will be done as a priority and, we trust, with the full co-operation of those involved in the police investigation.â€
AP
I can’t see any circumstances whereby the BHA/Police will attempt to gain a conviction relating to race fixing in the foreseeable future after this. Yes, the BHA may warn someone off a racecourse or fine them a few hundred quid now and again, but does it not worry you that Racing could now be perceived as a very easy target for organised crime in the future, simply due to the difficulty in presenting a provable case in court?
For clarity, I am not commenting on or making any suggestions about the innocence or guilt of anyone involved in the recent High Court case.
As it happens though, I do think racing has integrity problems – and no – I couldnt prove them in a court of law.
I followed the trial for the first few weeks, but stopped eventually because virtually every single piece of prosecution evidence was highly circumstancial. Nothing was said in the trial to absolutely convince me that they were innocent, but the prosecution’s case was so flimsy and badly thought-out that a toddler would have picked holes in it!
Picking an Australian steward as your expert witness?! I’m surprised the QC wasn’t laughed out the room!
Regarding the point that Wallace and myself have made, I thought this statement made by Paul Struthers, PR Manager for the BHA makes interesting reading.
“The British Horseracing Authority will now review all the available evidence presented in the criminal trial to determine if there have been breaches of the Rules of Racing that would require it to take disciplinary action. This will be done as a priority and, we trust, with the full co-operation of those involved in the police investigation.â€
Could you define the term "arseboxing" for those of us with a more limited vocabulary?
All today’s verdict has done is confirm there was insufficient evidence to proceed with this particular case. In the eyes of the law all the defendants are not guilty.
Whether the case should have been prosecuted in the first place needs to be looked into, as I am sure it will.
Today’s outcome says nothing one way or the other about whether there is or is not a culture of corruption in the sport.
On the simple basis that racing involves humans and betting, you do not have to be a genius to suppose these is some corruption somewhere, it is human nature.
Or turned around the other way you would have to be terribly naïve to assume there is no corruption at all in racing.
Does that mean the sport is inherently corrupt? I would argue not. Losing punters may rant about bent races, but looking objectively I would say racing is pretty straight.
The problem always will be proving that corruption has taken place, it is very difficult to prove “beyond reasonable doubtâ€
Dear All
Absolutely made up for the man. Met him during the summer and he is one hell of a nice person and I for one can not wait to see him back in the saddle.
Top Jockey, Top Man. What a great start to the weekend.
Cheers Kieron you are much appreciated.
Lamby150
No doubt in my mind that a conviction in some case or other would be great news for racing. As TDK says, it would clear the air a bit and hopefully dissuade some of the rubbish that hangs around on the fringes of this sport
Whats done is done here…whatever we think of KF and his mates
Must admit the case became more baffling as it proceeded
Alternative is that the Knavesmire is reopened for its original purpose and swift justice is executed before a trial. Too namby pamby these days
. Thatll knock em into shape…
No doubt in my mind that a conviction in some case or other would be great news for racing.
A just conviction, presumably.
Clivex,
Again the question – do you mean specifically a criminal conviction? After all we’ve had quite a few jockeys banned, for periods long enough to act as a deterrent.
AP
A criminal conviction. Simply because it might just bring about some (you would hope) unwelcome public exposure for certain connected parties
and naturally enough, it would have far more serious consequencies for the guilty parties…which just might make one or two think a bit harder about what they are doing….
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