Nine charged over alleged corrupt practice

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) Nine people, including four jockeys and a former bookmaker, have been charged over alleged corrupt practices, Britain's Horseracing Regulatory Authority said today.

British media said they included Robert Winston, who is sixth in the jockeys' table with 67 winners this season.

HRA spokesman Paul Struthers said in a statement: ''We can confirm that four jockeys and five unlicensed individuals, one a former bookmaker, have been charged in connection with corrupt practices.'' An unlicensed person is one not licensed by the racing authorities, as opposed to trainers or jockeys.

At The Races TV Channel (ATR) said earlier today that Winston, 26, faced three HRA charges -- passing information for reward, gift or benefit; passing information that would aid and abet a corrupt practice; and misleading HRA officials.

Last month, Winston was released from police bail without charge after a widespread two-year probe by the City of London Police into alleged race-fixing. He has been one of 28 people arrested.

The police investigation culminated in July with charges against 11 people, including former champion Kieren Fallon.

FALLON BANNED Fallon, accused of conspiracy to defraud, has been banned from riding in Britain but has been in action in Ireland and France. He was due to ride in the U S in the Arlington Million in Chicago this weekend but has been denied permission.

Winston, seen as a possible future champion, was to have ridden at Haydock today but gave up his rides.

His lawyer Christopher Stewart-Moore told At The Races: ''Robert denies any wrongdoing and has not breached any of the rules he has been charged with breaking''.

REUTERS AY KP1915