Joss Naylor Owner to be Charged With Laying Own Horse

Published: 20 February 2004

Darren Mercer, the owner of Joss Naylor, has been notified by the Jockey Club that he will be required to attend a Disciplinary Panel enquiry in relation to possible breaches of Rule 247, the rule which stipulates that it is an offence for an owner, trainer or a member of stable staff to lay their own horses to lose.

Mercer is facing a charge that he committed breaches of Rule 247(iii) of the Rules of Racing in respect of his laying with Betfair a horse owned by himself, JOSS NAYLOR (IRE), to lose in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27th.

The Jockey Club’s Disciplinary Panel will also be presented with evidence suggesting that Mercer laid the horse when he would have been aware that it was no longer running in the race.

The enquiry follows an investigation by the Jockey Club’s Security Department. A date for the hearing has not been set but it is hoped it will be held next month.

21st February 2004

Notes for Editors

1. It was announced last week that the Disciplinary Panel hearing involving Miles Rogders, a Director of Platinum Racing Club Ltd, will take place on 25th March. The Disciplinary Panel are due to consider whether Rodgers is in breach of Rule 247 in relation to charges that he laid to lose two horses owned by Platinum Racing (Uhoomagoo & Million Percent). Rodgers also faces a charge relating to the non-production of records requested by the Jockey Club as part of a Security Department investigation.