New crackdown on 'insider betting'

Christopher Spence, Jockey Club senior steward, today admitted the new security measures arose from the need to "strengthen industry confidence in the work of the security department, highlighted following the collapse of the doping trial". From 1 January 2001, a new security and investigations committee will be established to review and monitor the security depart-ment's work.

This four-man team includes Francis Gilbert QC, and former jockey Philip Blacker and will oversee all cases set to involve the police.

New rules will be instituted, seeking to deter "licensed persons passing on information for reward about horses which is not publicly available". Strict limits will be placed on associations between jockeys and betting organisations and a code of conduct in this arena introduced for trainers and jockeys.

Jockeys will also not be able to receive "material reward, gift, favour or benefit" up to a value of £100, other than from the specific owner or breeder, in exchange for information about a horse or race not freely available. They are also forbidden to enter the betting ring.