From Racing Post.....
Winston to be charged
by Graham Green
ROBERT WINSTON was on Wednesday notified by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority that he is to be charged in the latest corruption case to rock British racing.
The investigation also involves three other less prominent Flat jockeys, one of whom is not currently riding, together with a former racecourse bookmaker based in the Midlands.
It is understood the HRA is planning to name the four jockeys early next week, having sent letters to either them or their legal representatives in the meantime.
It was only last month that Winston was released from bailwithout charge from the long-running investigation by City of London police into alleged race-fixing. It was as a result of that inquiry that 11 individuals, including Kieren Fallon, were charged with offences. It is understood that there is no police involvement in this matter.
Winston, who rode his 100th winner of the year at Pontefract on Wednesday, was ideally placed to win the jockeys’ championship last year until suffering an horrendous fall at Ayr which brought his campaign to a premature end and gifted the title to Jamie Spencer. During the time Winston was out he underwent several operations to rebuild his jaw.
It is understood that Winston has changed his lawyers and will now be represented by London-based Christopher Stewart-Moore, who also acts for Fallon.
The Racing Post, over the last two days, has spoken to each of the other three riders involved in the case, but all denied any knowledge of an investigation. One of the jockeys, not Winston, is believed to have made more than 200 calls to the bookmaker, who is thought to have regularly laid horses to lose on betting exchanges while also offering more generous odds than his rivals about the same horses when operating his racecourse pitch.
In June, jockeys BrianReilly and Dean Williams, together with bookmaker and former owner Owen Churchill, were informed they face a series of charges linked to the laying of ten horses in a 52-day period between December 2004 and February last year.
Both this, and the new case, bear similarities to the Gary Carter affair which resulted in the former champion apprentice and Group 1-winning rider being warned off for five years.
Winston, who was involved in a fall at Pontefract on Wednesday, could not be contacted for a comment on Wednesday night.
Winston gave up his rides at Haydock on Thursday after hurting his leg in a three-horse pile-up.
He is reported to be stiff and sore after being brought down on Packers Hill when Roclette fell about three furlongs out in the Polar Ford Van Centre Maiden Stakes.
However, Winston plans to make a return to action at Newmarket's evening meeting on Friday for three rides before taking part in the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday.
"He'll be back tomorrow night, I should think," said his agent Richard Hale.
"He hurt his leg and he got a bang on the head. He's OK, but the reason he's not riding is because of his leg. It's a bit sore so he's having some physio."
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