Fallon 'lost easy race after syndicate boss bet £74,000', race-fixing trial told

A race-fixing gang was spotted driving towards top jockey Kieren Fallon's home late at night after he won a race he was expected to lose, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.

Miles Rodgers and his backers were angered after losing £160,000 on Russian Rhythm in May 2004 because the horse came first, the court was told.

After failing to confront Fallon face to face, Rodgers, Shaun Lynch and Philip Sherkle were seen 12 days later driving towards the jockey's Newmarket home by an undercover policeman, said Jonathan Caplan, QC, prosecuting. Rodgers's Mercedes was tracked along unlit country roads by the officer.

After the policeman parked, the Mercedes came up behind, it was alleged.

The men later drove away.

Mr Caplan added: "They would not have known that he was a police officer but they were obviously concerned that they might be being watched."

It is alleged that Fallon and two other jockeys were involved in a conspiracy to allow 27 horses to lose.

Rodgers bet on the horses to lose but lost money if they won.

Fallon, a six-time champion jockey and threetime Derby winner, was said to have lost 12 races for the gang but won five others when he was due to lose.

The court also heard that Fallon was booked on a flight to Malaga in Spain to see the "Big Man" in the £2million conspiracy but did not show up for the trip.

Mr Caplan said that in March 2004, Fallon had lost a race which he appeared to be winning - ensuring a £26,500 payout for the syndicate.

A racing expert said Fallon, riding Ballinger Ridge on the home stretch with a huge lead at Lingfield, slowed his momentum "to the point where he is doing virtually nothing".

Fallon told a stewards' inquiry he was afraid the horse would become 'legless' if he kept up the pace.

Rodgers had staked more than £72,000 on Ballinger Ridge to lose through internet betting firm Betfair.

Fallon, 42, of Tipperary in Ireland, is on trial with jockey Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, Lynch's brother Shaun, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, jockey Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, and barman Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire.

All deny conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers. Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.

The hearing continues.

"No evidence Fallon received money'

The court heard earlier that while jockey Darren Williams had been seen apparently receiving cash from Miles Rodgers after deliberately losing races, there was no such evidence relating to Kieren Fallon.

Prosecutor Mr Caplan said: 'The prosecution has no evidence that Fallon actually received any money or benefit from Rodgers or anyone else connected with this conspiracy. Kieren Fallon rode in 17 of the races involved in this case. He won for the conspirators 12 times, by losing.

"Yet at the time of the arrests in September 2004, because of his five wins, Fallon had made a net loss for the conspiracy of about £338,000. But it is important to remember that Rodgers at that time was working with Fergal Lynch and Fallon to get the conspiracy back into profit."