The interrogations, by the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC), of some bookmakers this week will be of significant importance in the investigation on the organization of rigged horse races. The investigators are moreover planning to have access to phone and bank statements of some of the jockeys questioned last week. About ten persons, including bookmakers and intermediaries, suspected of being linked with the organization of rigged horse racing have already been identified by the investigators.

The Icac’s investigation on the rigged race began on Friday 3rd with the questioning of Jason Taylor following an anonymous letter addressed to the commission. The investigators discovered, during a search carried out in his house at Grand-Baie, a sum of Rs 534 000. Questioned on its origin, the Australian jockey explained that three punters gave Rs 300 000 to him and that the rest of the money was a “gift” from his father-in-law before he leaves Mauritius. The rules and regulations of the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) however stipulate that a jockey “adopts an unacceptable behaviour if he accepts or consents to accept any pecuniary or other gift or other consideration in connection with any race without the consent of the stable manager or trainer.” Jason Taylor will be heard again by the Icac this week.

Three days later, it was Gilles Lemius, a French jockey who was questioned by the Brigade des Jeux. He had been suspended because of suspicions about his performance on his mount Cavendish on the 28th of May. He then incriminated a Mauritian jockey, Rye Joorawon and Chandrekansingh (Mann) Ramdour, an owner. Gilles Lemius declared to the police investigators that the latter asked him to rig another race that day by keeping back his horse – Qui Lord –, thus favouring a win for Accelerate. Appearing in court on Tuesday last, Gilles Lemius and Rye Joorawon were released after having paid bail of Rs10,000 and signing debt recognitions of Rs 50,000 each.

<B>Technical information</B>

To this day, more than ten jockeys, including Jeffrey Lloyd, Rye Joorawon, Dany Craven, Brent Stanley, Gilles Lemius, Yashin Emamdee, Vinay Naiko and Swapneel Rama have been questioned in the investigations led by both the Icac and the Brigade des jeux related to suspicious transactions in horse racing. They were all allowed to go after their hearings. Brent Stanley, one of the Australian jockeys heard in the investigation left Mauritius last week with his wife. He declared that he will be back next week. For the Icac investigators, the aim of these interogations was to gather “technical information” about the organization of horse racing in Mauritius.

Moreover, the Icac questioned a former bookmaker and businessman, Chan Sui Ko Fat Yan, on Friday. His lawyer, Rajesh Unnuth explained that the businessman denied being involved in the rigged race and stated that he does not know any of the jockeys questioned by the authorities. Chan Sui Ko Fat Yan however accepted that the police have access to his bank statements if necessary.