It is alleged they conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice following a British Horseracing Authority investigation into suspicious betting activity on a number of races.

Registered owners Maurice Sines and James Crickmore have also been charged with the same breach of the rules, along with six others – Peter Gold, Nick Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick, Darren May and Liam Vasey.

All of the individuals except the jockeys are alternatively/additionally charged with another breach in that it is alleged ’they caused the jockey in the race to act by communicating to him directly or indirectly, at his request and for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, inside information in relation to the named horse’.

Each of the jockeys is additionally charged with a different breach in that it is alleged ’they communicated directly or indirectly to one or more betting exchange account holders, for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, information relating to the prospects of the named horse’.

The allegations focus on horses being laid to lose on betting exchanges in 10 races that took place between January 17, 2009 and August 15, 2009.

As well as being charged for allegedly passing on information for reward, each of the jockeys has also been charged with ’intentionally failing to ensure that their horse was run on its merits’.

Doe has been charged in relation to a total of five races combining both charges. The races took place at Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Kempton and Bath.

Fairley has been charged in relation to four races, Quinn with two, and Milczarek and Fitzsimons to one race each.

Chris Brand, acting chief executive of the BHA, said: “Protecting the integrity of racing is a key priority for the Authority.

“Racegoers and punters should be reassured that the overwhelming majority of races are free of suspicion and we are committed to deterring and detecting wrong-doing and taking action when we believe there is evidence of it.

“The charges issued by the Authority are the result of a lengthy, detailed and complex investigation, following suspicious betting activity on more than one betting exchange and with traditional bookmakers.”

The guideline penalty for any jockey found guilty of ’deliberately not riding a horse to obtain the best possible placing for personal reward or knowing it has been laid to lose’ is five to 25 years disqualification, with an entry point of eight years.

’Corrupt or Fraudulent Practice’ has an entry point of three years, ’causing a licensed person to breach the betting/inside information rules’ is six months and ’passing information for reward’ is three years.

An owner laying a horse he owns to lose has an entry point of 18 months.

The four jockeys will still be able to ride until the hearing begins in October.