Trainer and jockey banned for corruption

LONDON, England -- As reported by The Guardian: "Eight men, including the trainer Paul Blockley and the jockey Dean McKeown, were warned off yesterday as racing's latest corruption inquiry came to a close.

"A disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority painted a grim picture of a gambling den in which conspirators would cheer the defeat of horses they had bet against before phoning unnamed racing professionals to say 'job done'.

"McKeown, 48, was warned off for four years and Blockley for two and a half, both having been found to be part of a conspiracy that made a net profit of £61,909 from lay bets on the Betfair betting exchange. There was no evidence that either man gained from the gambling, which was carried out by others after Blockley and McKeown had provided them with inside information.

"...Clive Whiting, a racehorse owner, was warned off for eight years. David Wright and Nicholas Rook were warned off for six..."