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Fallon conspiracy claims 'absurd' Fallon conspiracy claims 'absurd'
(about 2 hours later)
The lawyer for jockey Kieren Fallon has told a court the race-fixing case against his client is "absurd".The lawyer for jockey Kieren Fallon has told a court the race-fixing case against his client is "absurd".
The prosecution claims Mr Fallon and two jockeys conspired to lose 27 races between December 2002 and August 2004.The prosecution claims Mr Fallon and two jockeys conspired to lose 27 races between December 2002 and August 2004.
But John Kelsey-Fry QC said Fallon's winning rate in those races was much higher than in others he entered. But John Kelsey-Fry QC told the Old bailey Mr Fallon's winning rate in those races was much higher than in others he entered.
Six defendants, including jockey Kieren Fallon, deny conspiracy at the Old Bailey to defraud customers of internet betting exchange Betfair. Six defendants, including Mr Fallon, deny conspiracy to defraud customers of internet betting exchange Betfair.
Mr Kelsey-Fry said police had misinterpreted snippets of conversation and spun them into a conspiracy.Mr Kelsey-Fry said police had misinterpreted snippets of conversation and spun them into a conspiracy.
He said his client had been a champion jockey six times and added "he is a man driven by a desire to win".He said his client had been a champion jockey six times and added "he is a man driven by a desire to win".
He pointed out Mr Fallon's average strike rate on horses between 2002 and 2004 was 19%.He pointed out Mr Fallon's average strike rate on horses between 2002 and 2004 was 19%.
But it rose to 29.4% in the races which are included in the indictment.But it rose to 29.4% in the races which are included in the indictment.
He said: "That means that if the crown's allegation is right¿ that Fallon's win rate was 150% higher when he was trying to lose than when he was trying to win." He said: "That means that if the crown's allegation is right, that Fallon's win rate was 150% higher when he was trying to lose than when he was trying to win."
Mr Kelsey-Fry said the allegation was "simply ridiculous" and he pointed that trainer Sir Michael Stoute had praised Mr Fallon's "tremendous ride" on Russian Rhythm, which won a race Mr Fallon is said to have conspired to lose.Mr Kelsey-Fry said the allegation was "simply ridiculous" and he pointed that trainer Sir Michael Stoute had praised Mr Fallon's "tremendous ride" on Russian Rhythm, which won a race Mr Fallon is said to have conspired to lose.
The whole world wants to know his opinion on horses John Kelsey-Fry QC Officer 'not impartial' The whole world wants to know his opinion on horses John Kelsey-Fry QC Officer 'not impartial'
He said horse racing is a sport based on opinions and pointed out that on 7 October, Mr Fallon had expressed his own opinion to the BBC's Clare Balding just before riding Dylan Thomas in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.He said horse racing is a sport based on opinions and pointed out that on 7 October, Mr Fallon had expressed his own opinion to the BBC's Clare Balding just before riding Dylan Thomas in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
Mr Fallon, 42, of Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, had told Ms Balding the ground was too soft for his mount and he would have rather been aboard his horse's stablemate Soldier of Fortune.Mr Fallon, 42, of Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, had told Ms Balding the ground was too soft for his mount and he would have rather been aboard his horse's stablemate Soldier of Fortune.
Mr Kelsey-Fry said Mr Fallon had sounded "positively depressed" and added "anyone watching that would have thought Kieran Fallon was going to lose.Mr Kelsey-Fry said Mr Fallon had sounded "positively depressed" and added "anyone watching that would have thought Kieran Fallon was going to lose.
"If [co-defendant Miles Rodgers] had been watching, he would have probably have rushed off to lay the horse."If [co-defendant Miles Rodgers] had been watching, he would have probably have rushed off to lay the horse.
"Half an hour later, Mr Fallon won on Dylan Thomas.""Half an hour later, Mr Fallon won on Dylan Thomas."
Opinion sharingOpinion sharing
Laying the horse is a racing term which means backing a horse to lose.Laying the horse is a racing term which means backing a horse to lose.
Mr Kelsey-Fry had admitted his client had discussed various horses with co-defendants Fergal Lynch, Darren Williams and Philip Sherkle.Mr Kelsey-Fry had admitted his client had discussed various horses with co-defendants Fergal Lynch, Darren Williams and Philip Sherkle.
"He was willing to share opinions with Mr Sherkle - who was a friend - about who he fancied and who he didn't fancy."He was willing to share opinions with Mr Sherkle - who was a friend - about who he fancied and who he didn't fancy.
"It was not a corrupt relationship. There was nothing wrong with it. The whole world wants to know his opinion on horses.""It was not a corrupt relationship. There was nothing wrong with it. The whole world wants to know his opinion on horses."
The court had earlier heard how the impartiality of the leading detective in the case had been questioned. Mr Kelsey-Fry referred in court to a race in Newmarket in July 2004, which Mr Fallon rode a horse called Daring Aim, which was up against a heavily-backed favourite.
Mr Fallon won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Dylan Thomas
He said: "If ever there was a horse which Kieren Fallon could have chosen to lose on, it was Daring Aim.
"And if ever there was a race which showed why he was a champion jockey, it was this one."
He then went on to quote the race report from the following day's Racing Post, which described the horse as being "kept about her business" by Mr Fallon, who was "not about to admit defeat".
He said the Daring Aim race had been a gilt-edged opportunity to lose without attracting any criticism, but Mr Fallon showed all his skills to win the race.
He also pointed out that there had been no stewards' inquiries into any of the 17 races involving Mr Fallon.
Earlier, the court heard how the impartiality of the leading detective in the case had been questioned.
Philip Sherkle, a friend of Mr Fallon, has pleaded not guiltyPhilip Sherkle, a friend of Mr Fallon, has pleaded not guilty
Peter Kelson QC said acting Detective Inspector Mark Manning, who was due to retire, had been offered a job with the Jockey Club.Peter Kelson QC said acting Detective Inspector Mark Manning, who was due to retire, had been offered a job with the Jockey Club.
He said the jury should have "deep anxiety" about his impartiality.He said the jury should have "deep anxiety" about his impartiality.
Mr Kelson, defending betting syndicate boss Miles Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, said his client was simply a prolific gambler who obtained tips from jockeys and others in the racing industry and placed wages on Betfair.Mr Kelson, defending betting syndicate boss Miles Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, said his client was simply a prolific gambler who obtained tips from jockeys and others in the racing industry and placed wages on Betfair.
He pointed out that despite the prosecution's claims that it was a "sophisticated and cunning conspiracy", the alleged conspirators had actually made a loss of £278,067 on the 27 races in question.He pointed out that despite the prosecution's claims that it was a "sophisticated and cunning conspiracy", the alleged conspirators had actually made a loss of £278,067 on the 27 races in question.
He alleged that fellow jockey Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, acted as an intermediary between Mr Rodgers and Mr Fallon in a conspiracy to make horses lose.He alleged that fellow jockey Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, acted as an intermediary between Mr Rodgers and Mr Fallon in a conspiracy to make horses lose.
Mr Fallon, Mr Rodgers and Mr Lynch, as well as Mr Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Mr Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire and Mr Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, have all pleaded not guilty to being involved in the alleged race-fixing scam.Mr Fallon, Mr Rodgers and Mr Lynch, as well as Mr Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Mr Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire and Mr Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, have all pleaded not guilty to being involved in the alleged race-fixing scam.
Mr Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.Mr Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.
The trial continues.The trial continues.