Jockey Paul Mulrennan
The British Horseracing Authority said on Thursday that it will not bring misconduct charges against the jockeys Martin Dwyer and Paul Mulrennan over the recording of a telephone conversation between the two jockeys in which they discussed betting in races in India while both were riding in the country in 2010.
However, the authority also expressed its “grave disapproval” of the content of the recording, and will require both riders to attend a meeting with the regulator at which its concerns will be discussed in more detail.
The tape of Dwyer and Mulrennan’s conversation, which was sent anonymously to the Royal Western Indian Turf Club in September 2013, focuses on a discussion about the 2010 Eclipse Stakes of India at Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai, in which Mulrennan was due to ride Onassis.
Dwyer appears confident that Icebreaker, who was to be ridden the next day in the race in question by David Allan, will emerge as the winner, saying: “You either want to back the filly [Icebreaker] or leave it, I wouldn’t be backing yours against it.” Later, when discussing his riding tactics in the race, Mulrennan says: “I’ll try and sit last on mine, then get out of the way.”
The RWITC decided last year that it would not take any action over the recording, although the club also stated that neither jockey would be allowed to ride in the country in the future without first attending an inquiry into the tape and its content.
Martin Dwyer
The BHA too has now decided that no formal charges will arise from the recording, although both jockeys will be informed that their conduct was unacceptable at a meeting which it is understood Nick Rust, the new chief executive of the BHA, will also attend.
“Having interviewed both Dwyer and Mulrennan, and taken all reasonable steps available to investigate the matter, the British Horseracing Authority does not consider that the evidence available justifies charging either rider with misconduct under BHA’s Rules of Racing,” Robin Mounsey, the BHA’s spokesman, said on Thursday.
“While the BHA is conscious of the fact that neither rider admitted that the recording was a complete or wholly accurate record of the conversation that took place between them, BHA expresses grave disapproval that two licensed jockeys found it appropriate to hold any sort of conversation of the nature apparent from the recording.
“The BHA is disappointed that senior jockeys considered such a conversation appropriate on any terms and will speak further with both jockeys in due course. In the meantime, BHA reminds all jockeys of the standards of behaviour and integrity that are expected of them at all times.”
Paul Struthers, the chief executive of the Professional Jockeys’ Association, issued a brief statement on the case on Thursday.
“Whilst the investigation has concluded and the jockeys will not be charged,” Struthers said, “the BHA wishes to speak further to the two jockeys and therefore it would be inappropriate for them to comment until that has taken place.”
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