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Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Jockey banned for role in ‘biggest race-fixing storm ever' beaten by 40-1 outsider on first ride back in 14 years
FAIR'S FAIR Jockey banned for role in 'biggest race-fixing storm ever' beaten by 40-1 outsider on first ride back in 14 years A JOCKEY banned from racing for his role in the 'biggest race-fixing storm ever' was beaten by a 40-1 outsider on his first ride back in 14 years. Greg Fairley beat William Buick to the Champion Apprentice title in 2007 and looked all set for superstardom in the saddle. 2 Greg Fairley was banned for 12 years for his role in a race-fixing storm... but returned for the first time at Ayr on Monday Credit: PA:Empics Sport 2 The jockey was caught out wide, far right, on Superior Council - as 40-1 outsider South Road sprung a major surprise He would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone. But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for two of the most serious rules breaches. He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose - 'failing to obtain the best possible placing' - and passing on inside information for reward. A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the 'largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history'. Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, 'corrupting' jockeys in the process. Fairley last rode 14 years ago but, having served his time and been regranted a licence by the BHA, he made his comeback at Ayr on Monday. The ring that led to 66 years of bans - what happened? By Sam Morgan GREG Fairley was part of what at the time was called 'the biggest race-fixing ring ever' in British racing. He and fellow rider Paul Doe were hit with 12-year bans following a BHA probe. While Kirsty Milczarek, who was the girlfriend of six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, was banned for two years and Jimmy Quinn got a six-month suspension. Five others - Nick Gold, Peter Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick and Liam Vasey - were also found guilty of 'corrupt or fraudulent practice'. Vasey, Kendrick and Harris were banned for five, four and three years respectively, while the Golds were later banned for seven and five years respectively as part of a separate investigation. The probe found that owners Maurice 'Fred' Sines and James Crickmore - who were given the biggest 14-year bans - were the leaders of the ring that netted almost £280,000 from ten races. The case all centred around horses being backed to lose races between January and August 2009. BHA director Paul Scotney said at the time: "The investigation uncovered a network through which Sines and Crickmore engaged in betting activity, in particular with two riders, Paul Doe and Greg Fairley, that impacted on seven of the 10 races in question. "In the BHA's history, the scale and complexity of this case is unprecedented." Fairley, who would go onto become a tree surgeon, found more controversy after the ban. There were calls for him to repay £1,500 spent on teaching him to how to use a chainsaw as part of a jockeys' retraining scheme. But it was later deemed 'impractical' to pursue him for the money. Scottish trainer Iain Jardine gave Fairley, who in his own words ran away' back home to Scotland to run a tree surgery business before the BHA announced his ban, the ride on 4-1 Superior Council. The six-year-old gelding, who had finished first and second on his two most recent starts, had been backed into as short as 3-1 before drifting slightly before the off. But despite jumping well from the stalls he found little in the 6f race and finished eighth pf 16. Former Amo Racing jockey Kevin Stott was on the winner - two-time Grand National champ Lucinda Russell's 40-1 South Road. In a statement written before his return, Fairley addressed his past ban and said it's all now behind him as he focuses on winning again. Fairley wrote: "Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions. "I'm incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance. "I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jockey banned for role in ‘biggest race-fixing storm ever' beaten by 40-1 outsider on first ride back in 14 years
A JOCKEY banned from racing for his role in the 'biggest race-fixing storm ever' was beaten by a 40-1 outsider on his first ride back in 14 years. Greg Fairley beat William Buick to the Champion Apprentice title in 2007 and looked all set for superstardom in the saddle. Advertisement 2 Greg Fairley was banned for 12 years for his role in a race-fixing storm... but returned for the first time at Ayr on Monday Credit: PA:Empics Sport 2 The jockey was caught out wide, far right, on Superior Council - as 40-1 outsider South Road sprung a major surprise He would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone. But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose - 'failing to obtain the best possible placing' - and passing on inside information for reward. A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the 'largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history'. Advertisement Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, 'corrupting' jockeys in the process. Fairley last rode 14 years ago but, having served his time and been regranted a licence by the BHA, he made his comeback at Ayr on Monday. The ring that led to 66 years of bans - what happened? By Sam Morgan GREG Fairley was part of what at the time was called 'the biggest race-fixing ring ever' in British racing. He and fellow rider Paul Doe were hit with 12-year bans following a BHA probe. While Kirsty Milczarek, who was the girlfriend of six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, was banned for two years and Jimmy Quinn got a six-month suspension. Five others - Nick Gold, Peter Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick and Liam Vasey - were also found guilty of 'corrupt or fraudulent practice'. Vasey, Kendrick and Harris were banned for five, four and three years respectively, while the Golds were later banned for seven and five years respectively as part of a separate investigation. The probe found that owners Maurice 'Fred' Sines and James Crickmore - who were given the biggest 14-year bans - were the leaders of the ring that netted almost £280,000 from ten races. The case all centred around horses being backed to lose races between January and August 2009. BHA director Paul Scotney said at the time: "The investigation uncovered a network through which Sines and Crickmore engaged in betting activity, in particular with two riders, Paul Doe and Greg Fairley, that impacted on seven of the 10 races in question. "In the BHA's history, the scale and complexity of this case is unprecedented." Fairley, who would go onto become a tree surgeon, found more controversy after the ban. There were calls for him to repay £1,500 spent on teaching him to how to use a chainsaw as part of a jockeys' retraining scheme. But it was later deemed 'impractical' to pursue him for the money. Scottish trainer Iain Jardine gave Fairley, who in his own words ran away' back home to Scotland to run a tree surgery business before the BHA announced his ban, the ride on 4-1 Superior Council. The six-year-old gelding, who had finished first and second on his two most recent starts, had been backed into as short as 3-1 before drifting slightly before the off. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Exclusive But despite jumping well from the stalls he found little in the 6f race and finished eighth pf 16. Former Amo Racing jockey Kevin Stott was on the winner - two-time Grand National champ Lucinda Russell's 40-1 South Road. In a statement written before his return, Fairley addressed his past ban and said it's all now behind him as he focuses on winning again. Fairley wrote: "Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions. Advertisement "I'm incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance. "I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
‘I chose the wrong path' – Former jockey banned for 12 years in ‘largest race-fixing ring ever' set for shock return
The case rocked British racing like never before ONLY FAIR 'I chose the wrong path' – Former jockey banned for 12 years in 'largest race-fixing ring ever' set for shock return Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER champion jockey banned for 12 years for his role in the 'largest race-fixing ring ever' is set to make a shock return to the saddle. Greg Fairley was set for superstardom when crowned champion apprentice in 2007, beating William Buick to the title. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Former champion apprentice jockey Greg Fairley was banned for 12 years for his role in British racing's biggest ever fixing scandal - but is now all set to return to the track Credit: PA:Press Association Fairley, who is from Scotland, would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone. But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for two of the most serious rules breaches. He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose - 'failing to obtain the best possible placing' - and passing on inside information for reward. A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the 'largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history'. Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, 'corrupting' jockeys in the process. Fairley announced he had quit racing before the BHA's findings were published and, in his own words, 'ran away' back home to run a tree surgery business. His ban ran out in December 2013 and he unsuccessfully reapplied for his riding licence last year. But he was given the thumbs up at another hearing last month - although the BHA will attach a number of conditions to his licence. All in all, the granting of the licence paves the way for Fairley, 37, to return to racing in the very near future. In a statement, he addressed his past ban and said he is firmly focused on returning to the winner's enclosure again. Fairley wrote: "Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions. "I'm incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance. "I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive. "There are still some elements of the licencing procedure that I need to complete before my licence is issued but I'm very excited to be on the verge of race-riding again." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I chose the wrong path' – Former jockey banned for 12 years in ‘largest race-fixing ring ever' set for shock return
A FORMER champion jockey banned for 12 years for his role in the 'largest race-fixing ring ever' is set to make a shock return to the saddle. Greg Fairley was set for superstardom when crowned champion apprentice in 2007, beating William Buick to the title. 1 Former champion apprentice jockey Greg Fairley was banned for 12 years for his role in British racing's biggest ever fixing scandal - but is now all set to return to the track Credit: PA:Press Association Fairley, who is from Scotland, would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone. But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for two of the most serious rules breaches. He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose - 'failing to obtain the best possible placing' - and passing on inside information for reward. A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the 'largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history'. Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, 'corrupting' jockeys in the process. Fairley announced he had quit racing before the BHA's findings were published and, in his own words, 'ran away' back home to run a tree surgery business. His ban ran out in December 2013 and he unsuccessfully reapplied for his riding licence last year. But he was given the thumbs up at another hearing last month - although the BHA will attach a number of conditions to his licence. Most read in Horse Racing All in all, the granting of the licence paves the way for Fairley, 37, to return to racing in the very near future. In a statement, he addressed his past ban and said he is firmly focused on returning to the winner's enclosure again. Fairley wrote: "Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions. "I'm incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance. "I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive. "There are still some elements of the licencing procedure that I need to complete before my licence is issued but I'm very excited to be on the verge of race-riding again." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jockey banned for 12 years to make dramatic return to horse racing
Greg Fairley was a rising star of horse racing and champion apprentice on the Flat in 2007 but was cast out of the sport in disgrace in 2011 Greg Fairley, the 2007 champion apprentice warned off for 12 years for stopping a horse and passing on information, is to make a controversial return to the saddle. Fairley was once one of the rising stars of Flat racing, riding 381 winners in Britain and enjoying success at the top level when Lady Jane Digby, trained by his former boss Mark Johnston, landed a Group 1 contest in Germany in 2010. But the Scot was cast out of the sport in disgrace in December 2011 after a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel found him guilty of not riding The Staffy on his merits at Wolverhampton in March 2009. The panel, which in addition banned jockey Paul Doe for 12 years - Kirsty Milczarek was suspended for two years and Jimmy Quinn for six months - also found Fairley guilty of passing on privileged information for reward. Fairley, now 37, has worked as a tree surgeon during his period of exclusion but began riding work for trainer Sandy Thomson in 2021. And the path has been cleared for a race-riding comeback after Fairley's successful application for the return of his jockey's licence. 'We are satisfied that Mr Fairley is now a person who can be trusted,' concluded the licensing committee, which admitted finding the case 'very difficult to determine'. 'We tend to the view that, given his experience over the last 12-13 years, he is unlikely ever to engage in dishonest or corrupt behaviour again and unlikely to breach any integrity Rules,' it added. Charlie Johnston, who succeeded his father at the helm of the Kingsley Park Stables in Middleham in 2023, backed Fairley to rebuild his career. 'I was at university at the time it happened,' he said, 'but he was a big part of the team. 'The year he was champion apprentice, Joe [Fanning] had a bad fall at Glorious Goodwood and missed the rest of the season. 'Greg got thrust into taking a large proportion of the ride, including at Group level, even though he was still a claimer. 'He was a talented jockey. His misdemeanours were on horses not associated with us and I'm sure he regrets going down that path. 'But he's served a long and tough sentence and fair play to him for having the courage to try and come back. 'He phoned last night and said, 'This is going to be hitting the press, and I wanted you and Mark to know before it came out.' 'I'm sure there will be some owners who are still in the yard who had some success with him in years gone by. 'He's going to have to rebuild those relationships but I'm sure he will work hard at that.'
