JOCKEY Greg Fairley has been charged with serious breaches of the rules of racing.

It is alleged the rider, regularly on board the horses of Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice following a British Horseracing Authority investigation into suspicious betting activity on a number of races.

Fairley has been charged along with fellow riders Paul Doe, Kirsty Milczarek and Jimmy Quinn, along with former jockey Paul Fitzsimons, who is now a licensed trainer.

Registered owners Maurice Sines and James Crickmore have also been charged with the same breach of the rules, along with 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 ten races that took place between January 17, 2009 and August 15, 2009.

Fairley has been charged in relation to four races.

An independent disciplinary panel hearing has been set for October 20.