Police arrest star jockey

Top jockey Kieren Fallon was arrested today by police investigating allegations of a massive betting conspiracy. replace type="morelinks" align="right">

Flat race champion Fallon, 39, was among 16 people arrested. The others include two more leading jockeys, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, and high-profile trainer Karl Burke.

All three jockeys were due to ride at York this afternoon but instead are being questioned at police stations across London.

More than 130 police were involved in the raids on 19 addresses in Hertfordshire, Suffolk, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

The arrests follow a two-year inquiry by police who believe at least 80 high-profile races may have been fixed.

Detectives are examining connections to an online betting company that allows punters to back horses to lose as well as to win. One officer involved in today's operation revealed that a large amount of information, including computer records and documentation, had been seized.

He added: "We will now have the demanding job of going through it with a finetoothed comb."

The operation is being led by City of London police which has the country's biggest financial fraud team.

The detective added: "This investigation spans the whole country. Fortunately, we are very experienced in dealing with large-scale fraud cases. We expect more arrests to follow."

It is understood that the allegations centre on suspicious transactions on the Betfair website where punters are able to bet against each other with winnings paid out from credit and debit cards. Fallon has already ridden 161 winners this year while Williams and fellow Irishman Lynch have had 43 winners each. Burke has passed 50 winners so far this season.

City of London Assistant Commissioner Mike Bowron said: "This case is of great national significance not just to the racing community but to the wider public throughout the UK."

Today's arrests come after a series of controversies that have rocked the racing world.

John Blake, chief executive of the Jockeys' Association, described the arrests as "very disappointing for racing". He added: "These are serious issues and if proved would be very damaging to the reputation of racing."

Jockey Club public relations director John Maxse added: "This is an investigation which was initially handled by the Jockey Club, then it was passed on to the City of London earlier this year."

Fallon's career has been dogged by controversy. Despite riding two Derby winners and winning a host of other honours, the rider has had well-publicised problems with alcohol.

In 1994, he was banned for seven days for hitting fellow jockey Chris Rutter with his whip and then later the same year was banned for six months for violent or improper conduct after a clash with another jockey. Meanwhile, in a separate inquiry, a Jockey Club investigation into disrepute charges against Fallon and John Egan is due to start this month. Proceedings against the jockeys are related to allegations contained in the News of the World in March. Both jockeys insist they are innocent of race fixing.

The newspaper alleged that Fallon told undercover journalists before a race at Lingfield that eventual winner Rye would beat his mount Ballinger Ridge. Fallon was found guilty of "not riding out for first place" - deliberately easing off - while on Ballinger Ridge which was beaten by a short head by Rye. He served a 21-day suspension.