BRITAIN: Jockey Fallon's fury after trial collapses.

Byline: By ED JAMES 

JOCKEY Kieren Fallon spoke of his anger after the collapse of his pounds 10mrace-fixing trial.

Fallon and five other men, who were accused of plotting to throw races, were acquitted by an Old Bailey jury on the directions of the trial judge.

Fallon had always protested his innocence and a judge threw the case out after the conclusion of prosecution evidence.

The six-time champion jockey said: "I am of course relieved and delighted, but also outraged.

"There was never any evidence against me."

Fallon, 42, and fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams were alleged to have plotted to lose 27 races so a betting syndicate could win on bets.

But the judge, Mr Justice Forbes, found the Australian steward called to give expert evidence was not qualified to analyse British racing.

Fallon, who has been suspended from riding in Britain since his arrest last year, later joined defence lawyers in criticising the prosecution and calling for inquiries into its handling.

Fallon said: "I have always said I have never stopped a horse or fixed a race.

"The court has confirmed what we have always said - there was no evidence against me.

"I am devastated at having lost over a year's racing at the top level, at possibly the most important time in my career, and I have missed out on considerable income."

He said the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and its had been given "ample opportunity"

to review the evidence.

This included that its own stewards had only held an inquiry into one of his races in the investigation and to hear from trainers "who confirmed that I always rode their horses to their satisfaction", said Fallon.

He added: "They chose not to, and instead ruled me guilty without trial by banning me from racing.

"The BHA's actions have caused me enormous personal pain at so many levels.

His solicitor, IanBurton, said: "This prosecution should never have been brought.

"Kieren has been the subject of what is now shown to have been ill-founded vilification for three-and-a-half years."

Darren Williams said: "I have always ridden horses on their merits to the best of their ability and I always will.

"I trust and hope I can pick up my career where I left off and I will return to racing with my head held high."

Fergal Lynch said: "It's been very tough and has been very hard for my family and friends. They are the people who have suffered the most.

"It's a massive weight off my shoulders. It has been a nightmare.

"I now look forward to resuming and reviving my career on the track as soon as possible and hopefully returning to winning form."

Miles Rodgers, who ran a syndicate laying horses to lose, said: "I have always believed in British justice and that is what we have got today."

CAPTION(S):

Kieren Fallon yesterday after his trial collapsed