Jockey Ahern accused of breaching racing rules

Former West Bromwich Albion defender Neil Clement, Newmarket trainer’s son James Clutterbuck and three unlicensed individuals – Paul Hill, Martin Raymond and Michael Turl – have also been charged.

Ahern’s charges relate to five races held from September 2009 to February 2011. The jockey, who won this year’s Doncaster Cup on Times Up and who rode the Queen’s Tactician to victory at York last year, will face a long ban if found guilty.

Ahern allegedly stopped Judgethemoment from running on his merits when he finished last of seven at Lingfield on January 21, 2011. The British Horseracing Authority must also consider whether the jockey passed on ‘inside information’ linked to four other races at Chester (Sisindu), Wolverhampton (Downhill Skier) and twice at Kempton (Love You Louis and French Art).

Clement, who retired from football in January 2010, faces charges linked to the same races in which Ahern was riding. He is also charged with placing a lay bet on Hindu Kush, whom he used to own, when the horse finished last at Kempton on February 2, 2011. Ahern can continue riding until the disciplinary hearing which will begin on April 29 next year.