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Accused jockey claims 'good ride' Accused jockey claims 'good ride'
(10 minutes later)
A jockey accused of throwing races told investigators he had given his horse a "good ride" in one of the suspected races, the Old Bailey heard. A jockey accused of throwing races told investigators he had given his horse a "good ride" in one of the suspected incidents, the Old Bailey heard.
Darren Williams, 29, was quizzed after the race by the Jockey Club, then the sport's ruling body, in January 2003.Darren Williams, 29, was quizzed after the race by the Jockey Club, then the sport's ruling body, in January 2003.
He said he rode Legal Set - who came third at Lingfield in December 2002 - according to the given instructions.He said he rode Legal Set - who came third at Lingfield in December 2002 - according to the given instructions.
Six men, including champion jockey Kieren Fallon, deny conspiracy to defraud customers of Betfair website.Six men, including champion jockey Kieren Fallon, deny conspiracy to defraud customers of Betfair website.
The prosecution claim the defendants "fixed" races by ensuring horses lost as Betfair - an internet betting exchange - allowed them to wager money on such outcomes.The prosecution claim the defendants "fixed" races by ensuring horses lost as Betfair - an internet betting exchange - allowed them to wager money on such outcomes.
Mr Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire and Mr Fallon, 42, of Tipperary, Ireland, are on trial with fellow jockey Fergal Lynch, 29, from Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.Mr Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire and Mr Fallon, 42, of Tipperary, Ireland, are on trial with fellow jockey Fergal Lynch, 29, from Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.
Along with professional gambler Miles Rodgers, 38, from Silkstone, South Yorkshire; Mr Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire they have all pleaded not guilty to being involved in the alleged race-fixing scam.Along with professional gambler Miles Rodgers, 38, from Silkstone, South Yorkshire; Mr Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire they have all pleaded not guilty to being involved in the alleged race-fixing scam.
Mr Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.Mr Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.
Stewards' roleStewards' role
The court heard Mr Williams was asked in his earlier interview if he gave the horse "too much to do" and if he had given the animal a "tender finish". The court heard Mr Williams was asked in his Jockey Club interview if he gave the horse "too much to do" and if he had given the animal a "tender finish".
The jockey replied that he was "quite annoyed, actually" at the suggestion.The jockey replied that he was "quite annoyed, actually" at the suggestion.
All six defendants deny there was any conspiracyAll six defendants deny there was any conspiracy
"I gave the horse a good ride to the instructions given to me," he said in the interview read out in court."I gave the horse a good ride to the instructions given to me," he said in the interview read out in court.
"I got stopped twice on one run, on the straight and just turning in."I got stopped twice on one run, on the straight and just turning in.
"The other thing I'd like to say is I've always won on that horse - not hitting him ever. Same as Fergal Lynch. He's won on him on the same tactics - not hitting him.""The other thing I'd like to say is I've always won on that horse - not hitting him ever. Same as Fergal Lynch. He's won on him on the same tactics - not hitting him."
Mr Rodgers, was also interviewed by the Jockey Club, which is now the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), in January 2003.Mr Rodgers, was also interviewed by the Jockey Club, which is now the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), in January 2003.
He denied betting that Legal Set would lose in that particular race at Lingfield or on any other horse in that race.He denied betting that Legal Set would lose in that particular race at Lingfield or on any other horse in that race.
James Sturman QC, defending Mr Williams, asked William Nunnelly, a senior stipendiary steward at the BHA, about the role of stewards at race courses.James Sturman QC, defending Mr Williams, asked William Nunnelly, a senior stipendiary steward at the BHA, about the role of stewards at race courses.
Mr Nunnelly said they act as referees, and were trained to spot things such as interference, over-use of the whip and if a horse was not being ridden to his best ability.Mr Nunnelly said they act as referees, and were trained to spot things such as interference, over-use of the whip and if a horse was not being ridden to his best ability.
He told the court he thought the stewards at race courses in England "do a very good job".He told the court he thought the stewards at race courses in England "do a very good job".
The hearing was adjourned until Monday.The hearing was adjourned until Monday.