Jockey was 'talented', trainer tells Fallon trial
A trainer today described one of the jockeys in the £2m (€2.87m) race-fixing trial as "talented".
Kevin Ryan said Fergal Lynch had a good understanding of horses and was a good tactical rider.
Ryan, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, told the Old Bailey that he considered Lynch "a very talented jockey".
He added: "He was a very stylish rider."
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 was accused of plotting to allow CD Europe, one of Ryan's horses, to lose a race at Southwell in February, 2003, to allow a betting syndicate to win money.
CD Europe came eighth out of a field of 10. The prosecution allege it made £1,973 (€2,837) for the syndicate.
A stewards' inquiry found the horse had been "ridden tenderly in the early stages" and 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-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, deny conspiracy involving 27 horses December 2002 and August 2004.
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, 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. All the defendants are on bail.
The trial was adjourned to tomorrow.
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