maxwin
06-07-2002, 15:25
JOCKEY John Egan has been allowed to continue riding in Britain for the time being despite an arrest warrant out for him in Hong Kong.
The warrant was issued last Tuesday by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong where the 34-year-old Irishman faces a charge alleging he accepted a bribe to give horse racing tips.
Officials took the action after Egan failed to return to Hong Kong by last Sunday - a condition of having his travel documents returned to him earlier this year after his arrest as part of a probe into alleged corruption in Hong Kong racing.
Egan was called before the Jockey Club's licensing committee in London on Wednesday but told he could continue riding while more inquiries were made.
A statement from the club, the sport's regulatory body in Britain, said: "The committee took very seriously the fact that John Egan is understood to be facing a charge in Hong Kong.
"However, the facts alleged in support of the charge were not sufficiently clear for the committee to determine the gravity of the alleged conduct relating to the charge.
"The committee therefore intends to make further inquiries and reconvene at the appropriate time."
After Wednesday's hearing, Egan travelled to Lingfield Park about 50km away and won on his only mount of the afternoon, the 6-1 chance Start Over.
It was his 14th success since his return in March. He rode 51 winners in Hong Kong last year.
Egan rode at Kranji in 2000, booting home a winner from 16 mounts. - Reuters
The warrant was issued last Tuesday by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong where the 34-year-old Irishman faces a charge alleging he accepted a bribe to give horse racing tips.
Officials took the action after Egan failed to return to Hong Kong by last Sunday - a condition of having his travel documents returned to him earlier this year after his arrest as part of a probe into alleged corruption in Hong Kong racing.
Egan was called before the Jockey Club's licensing committee in London on Wednesday but told he could continue riding while more inquiries were made.
A statement from the club, the sport's regulatory body in Britain, said: "The committee took very seriously the fact that John Egan is understood to be facing a charge in Hong Kong.
"However, the facts alleged in support of the charge were not sufficiently clear for the committee to determine the gravity of the alleged conduct relating to the charge.
"The committee therefore intends to make further inquiries and reconvene at the appropriate time."
After Wednesday's hearing, Egan travelled to Lingfield Park about 50km away and won on his only mount of the afternoon, the 6-1 chance Start Over.
It was his 14th success since his return in March. He rode 51 winners in Hong Kong last year.
Egan rode at Kranji in 2000, booting home a winner from 16 mounts. - Reuters