Fallon and Two Other Riders Charged in Betfair Scandal

Kieren Fallon, 6-time Britain jockey Champion has been charged with conspiracy to defraud customers of Betfair, the controversy-ridden internet betting exchange.

Fallon was one of 11 people charged over the cheating allegation. The charges were filed less than 24 hours after he wowed punters and later won at the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Dylan Thomas.

Two other jockeys, Darren Williams, 27, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire, and Fergal Lynch, 28, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, were charged with the same allegation.

The City of London police filed the charges after completing their probe into an alleged conspiracy among trainers, jockeys, a gambling syndicate and other interest-driven individuals from December 2002 to September 2004.

Probe leader Detective Superintendent Tony Crampton, told the media that Fallon and the others charged had predetermined a losing game by agreeing not to run horses to its maximum potential.

Two trainers were also arrested in the same offense: Karl Burke and Alan Berry. However, Burke was set free, while Berry was ordered to face the first court hearing.

Betfair has been the focus of racing news following the filed charges. Industry players are anticipating the next events that would unfold.

Still, Betfair executives argued that Betfair has a system for ensuring that racing is not corrupt.