Platinum Racing Cheif to be Charged Over Exchange Laying and Hillside Girl: Further Charges Expected
Published: 29 December 2003
The Jockey Club announced today that Miles Rodgers, a Director of Platinum Racing Club Ltd, is facing a charge of a breach of Rule 247, which prohibits owners, trainers and stable staff from laying their own horses to lose with a betting organisation.
The rules banning owners, trainers and stable staff from laying their own horses to lose took effect from 1st September this year. The Jockey Club’s investigation, the first under this particular rule, centres on the runs of Uhoomagoo at Redcar on 28th October 2003 and Million Percent at Wolverhampton on 14th November 2003. Both horses ran under the ownership of Platinum Racing Club Ltd. The matter is expected to come before the Disciplinary Panel early in 2004.
Meanwhile, although no new date for a hearing has been set, the Jockey Club’s enquiries into the activities of the farrier, Steve O’Sullivan, are progressing again.
Two months ago the Jockey Club scheduled a disciplinary hearing to consider whether or not O’Sullivan is in breach of the Rules of Racing in respect of his refusal to supply the Security Department with information relating to his betting accounts and telephone records. The information was considered relevant to the Jockey Club’s enquiry into the running of Hillside Girl and other races in the preceding twelve months. The hearing was postponed following an application by O’Sullivan’s solicitors.
The Jockey Club’s Director of Security, Paul Scotney, said today:
“The overall investigation was held up by the wrangling over whether or not Steve O’Sullivan would attend his scheduled hearings and whether or not he would produce the requested betting and telephone records. Since then, he has produced some records and the investigation is now in its final stages. It is expected to conclude shortly and it is anticipated that other individuals, in addition to O’Sullivan, will be called before the Disciplinary Panel in connection with the running of Hillside Girl at Carlisle on 15th June 2003.”
Finally, the Security Department are continuing with their enquiries into the irregular betting patterns surrounding Red Lancer at Wolverhampton and Intox III at Ludlow.
29th December 2003
Notes for Editors:
The definition of owner, as set out for the purposes of Rule 247, includes the directors and registered agents of ‘Recognised Companies’, of which Platinum Racing Club Ltd is one.
