Four British jockeys banned by HRA

Four British-based jockeys have received bans, ranging from one to three

years, as the latest chapter in the ongoing race-fixing inquiry was concluded at

the Horseracing Regulatory Authority's (HRA) London headquarters on Friday.

Robert Winston, the highest profile of the quartet, was handed a one-year ban

for various rule breaches, but will be allowed to work in racing. Fellow riders

Robbie Fitzpatrick and Luke Fletcher were given three-year penalties, while Fran

Ferris received a two-year ban. All three are disqualified from entering

licensed premises, which includes racetracks and racing stables, for the

duration of their sentences.

Five other unlicensed individuals were also banned. The heaviest punishment

was handed to Ian Nicholl, who has been warned off indefinitely with the proviso

he cannot apply for reconsideration for 10 years.

The jockeys were accused of providing or passing information that was used,

by Nicholls and four other defendants, for corrupt gain in relation to 37 races

between June 16, 2003, and February 29, 2004.

In a statement issued to PA Sport, Winston's solicitor, Christopher

Stewart-Moore, said:

"Robert Winston is shocked and disappointed by the HRA disciplinary panel's

finding that he was in breach of Rule 243 in giving information for reward. This

disappointment is tempered to some degree by the panel finding that they

accepted that it was no part of the information he gave that he would ride to

lose if necessary, and their further finding that in no instance did he in fact

ride to lose. The panel's finding against Mr. Winston is based on their

'inference' that Mr. Winston received a reward from Mr. Nicholl for providing

him with information. For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Winston received no reward

from Mr. Nicholl -- or anyone else for that matter -- in relation to the

information that he is alleged to have given. No physical evidence of a reward

was put to the panel and no such evidence exists."