Fallon race-fixing trial under way

The trial of Kieren Fallon and five accused associates on race fixing-charges began at the Old Bailey courthouse in London on Monday as lawyers presented their opening arguments in a case that is expected to last until January.

Six times the champion jockey in Britain, the 42-year-old Fallon was present at the first-day proceedings. He has been charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers in a series of races between December 2002 and September 2004.

Also charged are British riders Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, owner Miles Rodgers and two of his associates, Shaun Lynch and Philip Sherkle.

Betfair is a British bookmaking firm at which bettors can wager on horses to lose. It is charged that Fallon, Lynch, and Williams conspired to cause certain horses not to win, providing the others with information that enabled them to place winning bets accordingly.

Fallon has been banned from riding in Britain since July, 2006, prompting jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong to follow suit. He continues to be able to ride, however, in Ireland, France, and Germany.

Neither Lynch nor Williams has ridden anywhere since charges were filed against them at the same time.