Jockey admitted to stopping horse under threats: details of the scandal in sports.

Jockey's admission of result-falsification

According to The Sun: Jockey Dylan Kitts admitted that he 'stopped' the horse from winning a race in Worcester under pressure from a Premier League player's relative.

Kitts, who acts as a jockey, received a suspension of his license after finishing third on the horse Hilsin in July 2023, leading to a two-year investigation by the BHA.

Background and details of the case

Kitts, trainer Chris Honorary, and John Higgins, relative of Burnley's forward Ashley Barnes, have been accused of conspiracy and corruption by the BHA. Honorary and Higgins deny their guilt.

“Mr. Kitts acknowledged that the horse received stopped guidance, but noted that this occurred due to a threat from Mr. Higgins, and confirmation was provided by Chris Honorary,” said BHA representative Louis Weston.

The hearing is ongoing, and an independent judicial body is reviewing race recordings and listening to audio recordings of the investigation. During the race, Kitts claimed he was following instructions, while Honorary expressed satisfaction with the ride.

Financial ties and threats

The horse Hilsin was at 2-1 odds on the mile and a half distance, but before the start, its chances rose to 11-1. Kitts hardly moved in the saddle and finished third with a narrow gap.

The day before the race, Higgins and Barnes profited from bets on Hilsin when the horse finished third under Kitts' management.

“Mr. Higgins told Mr. Honorary that if everything goes well, more horses may come to him,” added Weston.

It has also been revealed that Higgins was paying Kitts between 100 and 150 pounds before the race, maintaining regular contact with him.

The hearing is ongoing, and Higgins is avoiding participation in the process, expected to last several days at the BHA's central office in London.

This case has drawn attention to the issue of corruption in horse racing and sports betting. The conclusions of the investigation are expected to have serious implications for all participants and could also impact the sport's reputation as a whole. Studying such incidents is vital for improving transparency and fairness in sports competitions.