‘I chose the wrong path’ – Former jockey banned for 12 years in ‘largest race-fixing ring ever’ set for shock return
A FORMER champion jockey banned for 12 years for his role in the ‘largest race-fixing ring ever’ is set to make a shock return to the saddle.
Greg Fairley was set for superstardom when crowned champion apprentice in 2007, beating William Buick to the title.
Fairley, who is from Scotland, would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone.
But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for two of the most serious rules breaches.
He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose – ‘failing to obtain the best possible placing’ – and passing on inside information for reward.
A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the ‘largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history’.
Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, ‘corrupting’ jockeys in the process.
Fairley announced he had quit racing before the BHA’s findings were published and, in his own words, ‘ran away’ back home to run a tree surgery business.
His ban ran out in December 2013 and he unsuccessfully reapplied for his riding licence last year.
But he was given the thumbs up at another hearing last month – although the BHA will attach a number of conditions to his licence.
All in all, the granting of the licence paves the way for Fairley, 37, to return to racing in the very near future.
In a statement, he addressed his past ban and said he is firmly focused on returning to the winner’s enclosure again.
Fairley wrote: “Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance.
“I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive.
“There are still some elements of the licencing procedure that I need to complete before my licence is issued but I’m very excited to be on the verge of race-riding again.”
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