Racing has long been subject to the notion it is a magnet for scams, encouraged by the huge amounts of cash it attracts.
The Jockey Club formed in 1752 as a society of the racing world’s elite has been regulating the industry since 1832.
And evidence that the racing world attracts cheats has been around for as long as the regulator has existed.
The multi-million pound industry is thriving, but it seems the regulators are busier than ever – they are said to be currently investigating six cases.
Though punters seem to have faith, Roger Buffham, the Jockey Club’s former security chief, did nothing to reassure any doubters when in 2002 he said the sport was “institutionally corrupt”.
He told BBC reporters: “Racing is not as straight as the Jockey Club and others would ask the public to believe it is.
“I believe it is institutionally corrupt”.
Former jockey Graham Bradley was one of the racing world’s top figures targeted by the BBC documentary makers.
Mr Bradley retired in 1999, with a string of major race wins, but his 12-year career was blighted by run-ins with the authorities.
The top jockey was given a two month suspension in 1982 for placing a bet while in the parade ring.
He was charged in 1999 as part of an investigation into alleged race fixing, but the charges were dropped.
And Mr Bradley also admitted in a court case to passing racing tip-offs to drug smuggler Brian Wright, though he was never disciplined by the sport’s body.
Amid the notion the racing world is being corrupted by the criminal underworld, Mr Bradley has seen no reason to hide his long-standing friendship with Mr Wright.
More recently, the Jockey Club called in the City of London Police in January this year to investigate the possibility that there was widespread corruption in Britain’s £250 million bloodstock industry.
That was after accusations of bribery and fraud were made in December last year by a judge against a trainer and a top bloodstock agent.
David Elsworth, who trained the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Desert Orchid, was offered £10,000 by Charlie Gordon-Watson, a top bloodstock agent, in October 2001, central London County Court heard.
The “sweetener” was to make sure the sale of Foodbroker Fancy for £275,000 to a buyer in the States went smoothly, the court was told.
Foodbrokers Ltd, who owned the horse, were to pay 5% of the sale price, £13,750, in commission to Elsworth. But the firm said they did not know the trainer was to get the £10,000 extra – what the judge later described as “bribery and secret profits”.
Judge Michael Dean QC told the court in December 2003: “It is quite illegal. And if that is the way this business is conducted the sooner the people involved change their ways they better.”
Mr Gordon-Watson settled the claim with a £50,000 pay-out. But he later claimed the proposed £10,000 payment was for training fees and a share of prize money and denied any wrongdoing.
Christopher Foster, the Jockey Club’s executive director, said: “In this day and age all deals should be transparent.
“Football has had to tackle the question of transfer deals and the roles agents play, now the bloodstock industry needs to take a close look at its agency arrangements.”
And that could be the nub of it. While the industry is under the spotlight for supposed widespread wrongdoing, the sport is being scrutinised more than ever.
Racing commentator John McCrirrick said: “When you have lots of money splashing around there is always the potential for corruption.
“There are always accusations and stories, but I do believe racing is now straighter than it has ever been because vigilance is stronger.
“Every suspicious activity is being reported.”
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2620280
The Jockey Club formed in 1752 as a society of the racing world’s elite has been regulating the industry since 1832.
And evidence that the racing world attracts cheats has been around for as long as the regulator has existed.
The multi-million pound industry is thriving, but it seems the regulators are busier than ever – they are said to be currently investigating six cases.
Though punters seem to have faith, Roger Buffham, the Jockey Club’s former security chief, did nothing to reassure any doubters when in 2002 he said the sport was “institutionally corrupt”.
He told BBC reporters: “Racing is not as straight as the Jockey Club and others would ask the public to believe it is.
“I believe it is institutionally corrupt”.
Former jockey Graham Bradley was one of the racing world’s top figures targeted by the BBC documentary makers.
Mr Bradley retired in 1999, with a string of major race wins, but his 12-year career was blighted by run-ins with the authorities.
The top jockey was given a two month suspension in 1982 for placing a bet while in the parade ring.
He was charged in 1999 as part of an investigation into alleged race fixing, but the charges were dropped.
And Mr Bradley also admitted in a court case to passing racing tip-offs to drug smuggler Brian Wright, though he was never disciplined by the sport’s body.
Amid the notion the racing world is being corrupted by the criminal underworld, Mr Bradley has seen no reason to hide his long-standing friendship with Mr Wright.
More recently, the Jockey Club called in the City of London Police in January this year to investigate the possibility that there was widespread corruption in Britain’s £250 million bloodstock industry.
That was after accusations of bribery and fraud were made in December last year by a judge against a trainer and a top bloodstock agent.
David Elsworth, who trained the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Desert Orchid, was offered £10,000 by Charlie Gordon-Watson, a top bloodstock agent, in October 2001, central London County Court heard.
The “sweetener” was to make sure the sale of Foodbroker Fancy for £275,000 to a buyer in the States went smoothly, the court was told.
Foodbrokers Ltd, who owned the horse, were to pay 5% of the sale price, £13,750, in commission to Elsworth. But the firm said they did not know the trainer was to get the £10,000 extra – what the judge later described as “bribery and secret profits”.
Judge Michael Dean QC told the court in December 2003: “It is quite illegal. And if that is the way this business is conducted the sooner the people involved change their ways they better.”
Mr Gordon-Watson settled the claim with a £50,000 pay-out. But he later claimed the proposed £10,000 payment was for training fees and a share of prize money and denied any wrongdoing.
Christopher Foster, the Jockey Club’s executive director, said: “In this day and age all deals should be transparent.
“Football has had to tackle the question of transfer deals and the roles agents play, now the bloodstock industry needs to take a close look at its agency arrangements.”
And that could be the nub of it. While the industry is under the spotlight for supposed widespread wrongdoing, the sport is being scrutinised more than ever.
Racing commentator John McCrirrick said: “When you have lots of money splashing around there is always the potential for corruption.
“There are always accusations and stories, but I do believe racing is now straighter than it has ever been because vigilance is stronger.
“Every suspicious activity is being reported.”
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2620280
