Eddie Ahern will return to action at Lingfield on Wednesday for the first time since the news broke that he is being investigated by the British Horseracing Authority and is under suspicion of a serious but unspecified breach of its rules. The Newmarket-based jockey intends to pursue a "business as usual" policy according to his agent, who nevertheless feels that Ahern has been placed in a terrible position by news of the case leaking out before the BHA has decided whether or not to pursue charges.
"I'm not very happy about it," said Gavin Horne, who has booked Ahern's rides for the past three months and hopes that trainers will not now be reluctant to use the 34-year-old. "It caught me by surprise as much as anyone." Horne was annoyed at the suggestion in a report on Saturday that the jockey had "given up" his rides at Wolverhampton the previous evening rather than face the press.
"He was signed off with flu," Horne said, "and then his only ride on Saturday was a non-runner. It was nothing to do with him giving up any rides. We're carrying on, business as usual, and he'll be at Lingfield on Wednesday."
Ahern has four booked mounts at the Surrey track, two of them trained by Sir Henry Cecil. One is the debutant Demonic, owned by Khalid Abdulla, whose racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, said of Ahern: "If Henry's happy to use him, we're happy to use him."
Ahern will also ride for Paul D'Arcy, whose wife, Sue, said: "He's been put in a difficult position. Innocent until proven guilty, I thought that was the general rule. He's never caused us any problems."
James Fanshawe said he was "very happy" with the work Ahern has done for him this year, winning on six of 19 rides. While Fanshawe wouldn't comment on the investigation, knowing none of the relevant facts, he added: "It's unfortunate when these things get leaked in the press. Some people always seem to take a 'no smoke without fire' view of it."
News of the investigation broke after Ahern applied for a licence to ride in India this winter, prompting the local racing authorities to check his status with the BHA. Saturday's Racing Post quoted a spokesman for the Bangalore Turf Club as saying: "We got a communication from the BHA stating that he would probably be charged with a serious offence."
The BHA refuses to comment, as is its policy on current investigations. However, it is understood that officials value their ability to trade information about cases with fellow racing authorities overseas. This is done on the understanding that any such news would not be shared with the press and the Bangalore Turf Club is likely to be reminded of that principle.
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