Lynch a 'very talented and stylish' rider, trainer tells Old Bailey
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A trainer described one of the jockeys in the £2m race-fixing trial at the Old Bailey yesterday as "a very talented rider". Kevin Ryan said Fergal Lynch had a good understanding of horses and was a good tactical rider as well as being "very stylish".
Ryan agreed with defence counsel George Carter-Stephenson, QC, that Lynch would "bide his time" and then "come on strong" in the last couple of furlongs. "He was very successful," said Ryan, himself a former jockey.
Lynch is accused of plotting to allow CD Europe, one of Ryan's horses, to lose at a race at Southwell in February, 2003, to allow a betting syndicate to win money. DC Europe came eighth out of a field of 10.
The prosecution allege it made £1,973 for the syndicate. A stewards' inquiry found the horse had been "ridden tenderly in the early stages". Lynch was given a seven-day riding ban.
Ryan said he was disappointed with the race but agreed that the horse was slow starting and had a lot of ground to make up.
He added: "Fergal always knew the horse came first. I would not have wanted him to pick up the stick and hit him seven or eight times because it would have discouraged the horse more. He knew what I thought of my horses and he knew how I wanted them treated."
Six men, including six- times champion jockey Kieren Fallon, deny conspiracy involving 27 horses between December 2002 and August 2004.
Jockeys Kieren Fallon, 42, formerly of Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, but now of Tipperary, Ireland; Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire; and Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, all deny the charge. Shaun Lynch, 38, of Belfast; Miles Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire; and Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, also plead not guilty. Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime. The trial continues today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments