Ban on Fallon upheld by High Court

Ban on Fallon upheld by High Court

Kieren Fallon faces a lengthy ban from riding in the United Kingdom after his High Court

challenge to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority's (HRA) decision ended in

failure on Friday. Having been charged with conspiracy to defraud customers of

BetFair by the City of London Police, the six-time British champion jockey has

been suspended by the HRA, and that will hold until the trial is concluded.

Despite arguments that the HRA appeal board had acted unfairly and

disproportionately in refusing to lift the ban, the High Court judge refused to

grant Fallon an injunction. Mr. Justice Davis said the charges against Fallon

were "grave" and it had rightly been said that, if proved, the case would

"strike at the heart of racing." He concluded that the appeal board had been

right in their refusal to examine the evidence which, he said, had been

"cherry-picked" by Fallon's legal advisers from a wider range of material. Davis

added that some of Fallon's arguments that the ban was disproportionate had been

overstated and that his claim that it would effectively end his career as a

leading jockey was not supported by any evidence.

"My client is understandably disappointed with the outcome of his efforts to

have his suspension from riding in the UK lifted pending a trial in 18 months'

time," said Ian Burton, speaking for Fallon's solicitors BCL Burton Copeland.

"We are not seeking leave to appeal and our focus will be on defending the

ill-founded charges against Mr. Fallon."