MONK Fryston rider Dean McKeown “decided to break the rules in the most fundamental way possible for a jockey” when he became part of a conspiracy to lay horses.

Publishing the detailed reasons for handing McKeown a four-year suspension after finding he had conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said he “cheated” and did so “with his eyes open”.

Last month, a BHA panel ruled McKeown, along with trainer Paul Blockley and several others, were involved in the laying of horses to lose races between March 2004 and December 2005.

McKeown, pictured, who denied the charges, was also found to have ensured four mounts did not run on their merits in races.

Earlier this week, the jockey said he had ridden in his last race after his licence was revoked by the BHA.

The 48-year-old had been allowed to continue riding pending an appeal, but that right was waived after Rascal In The Mix finished fifth at Southwell and stewards accused him under the “non-trier” rule.

In their detailed findings, the BHA panel said McKeown “participated in the conspiracy… to the fullest extent. He was prepared to ride to lose if necessary to ensure the success of lay betting and on four occasions in his eight races with which the panel was concerned, he did indeed ride in breach of the basic requirement placed on all jockeys – that they ride horses on their merits.

“The panel received no impression that he was led into this behaviour. He is a capable man who decided to break the rules in the most fundamental way possible for a jockey.

“He did so time and time again, to profit from it through cheating bets. He did this with his eyes open and without any indication that he was put under outside pressure.”

And the panel added they were wrong to have allowed McKeown to continue riding following their verdict last month. “If he is eventually found to have been in breach of Rule 157 over his ride on 4 November 2008, then it is clear that he has been permitted an opportunity to abuse the rules that it was wrong to give him.

“Even if he is eventually found not to have been in breach, then it is nevertheless the case that the interests of racing have been compromised by allowing a jockey to continue riding in circumstances which have at least raised serious questions about what he was up to at Southwell.”

McKeown has until November 12 to appeal against either the findings or the penalty level.