Winston banned

Racing:Robert Winston has become the latest high-profile Irish jockey to be banned from racing after being "warned off" for a year by Britain's Horse Racing Authority (HRA) on corruption charges.

Winston was one of four jockeys to be warned off at a HRA disciplinary panel hearing yesterday, with two other Irish riders, Robbie Fitzpatrick and Fran Ferris, banned for three and two years respectively. The fourth, Luke Fletcher, was also suspended for three years.

However, Dublin-born Winston (27), is the highest profile jockey to be suspended under charges of providing information for reward that would subsequently be used for corrupt gain. A statement released by Winston's solicitors said: "Robert Winston is shocked and disappointed by the HRA's disciplinary panel's finding that he was in breach of Rule 243 in giving information for reward."

Unlike the other three jockeys, Winston can continue to work in racing, but this is a crippling blow to an already turbulent career. Winston is a product of Race, the apprentice school in Kildare, after learning to ride ponies in his native Finglas. He left Ireland to work in Britain at 16 and has progressed to being one of the top riders there.

In 2005, he was leading the championship table until injury finished his season, and he was also reportedly in line for the prestigious job as stable jockey to Michael Stoute when Kieran Fallon left to join Aidan O'Brien.

The HRA investigation centred on 37 races between June 2003 and February 2004.

In yesterday's hearing, five unlicensed people were also warned off, including Ian Nicholl, a Betfair account holder, who has been banned indefinitely.