Disgraced Fergal Lynch hit with 12-month ban at US track

13 April 2012

Jockey Fergal Lynch has been dealt a major blow in his hopes to continue his career in the US after officials at Philadelphia Park banned him from the track for a year.

Lynch was fined £50,000 this month by the British Horseracing Authority after he admitted stopping a horse and passing information to benefit owner Miles Rodgers.

However, as the result of a plea bargain, the BHA did not issue a worldwide ban and Lynch was given six months to pay the fine.

He then moved to America last summer, riding numerous winners for his brother, Cathal, and has won nearly $2.5million (£1.4m) in prize-money.

When the Pennsylvania Racing Commission were alerted to Lynch's UK punishment they asked the BHA for evidence from the case and have now taken action against the 31-year-old.

The ban currently applies only to Philadelphia Park, but a similar suspension may be invoked by other tracks in the US.

"He has been ejected by Philadelphia Park for one year," said Justin Fleming, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Racing Commission. "He is still licensed to ride in Pennsylvania as of now, and also in other jurisdictions. However, those tracks do reserve the right to not allow him to race."

Lynch has yet to pay the fine and BHA spokesman Owen Byrne told the Racing Post: "If he doesn't pay the fine, he would go on our Forfeit List. Then you become a disqualified person. It would actually be a worldwide disqualification, as there is a reciprocal arrangement between racing bodies."

Meanwhile, trainer Karl Burke, has said he will appeal against the 12-month ban imposed upon him by the BHA for passing information on to Rodgers, which he described in a statement issued by his solicitors as "unfair and excessive".

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Disgraced Fergal Lynch hit with 12-month ban at US track

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