CHAMPION jockey Kieren Fallon was expected to miss this afternoon's meeting in York following his arrest along with a North Yorkshire trainer by police investigating the alleged fixing of horse races.

Mr Fallon and Middleham trainer Karl Burke were said to be in the custody of City of London Police with two other North Yorkshire people on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

A total of 16 people were arrested, including jockeys Darren Williams and Fergal Lynch, as part of an operation which saw 19 addresses raided last night.

A City of London Police spokesman said the investigation centred on suspicion of corruption within horse racing and fixing the outcome of horse races.

It is believed the allegations involve more than 80 races over the last two years.

Mr Fallon, Mr Williams and Mr Lynch were due to ride at York Racecourse today, with Mr Fallon saddling the favourite Red Bloom in Knavesmire's big race of the day - The Strensall Stakes.

Mr Fallon was also due to ride for Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby in the day's first race.

Officers are now examining documentation and computer equipment seized from the houses of those arrested before deciding on the course of the investigation.

City of London Police specialises in tackling economic crime and is styled on its website as the UK's largest fraud squad. It is also responsible for safety in London's Square Mile - the city's financial district.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Wilmott, the officer in charge of the operation at City of London Police, said: "We have deployed over 130 officers in Suffolk, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, executing 19 warrants and have arrested a number of people for conspiracy to defraud.

"Of the people we have arrested three are jockeys and one is a horse trainer. We have amassed a large amount of information, including computer records and documentation seized today, and will now commence the detailed task of examining it all."

City of London Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Bowron said: "The City of London Police are leading this complex investigation with assistance from police in Suffolk, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

"We are leaders in the investigation of economic crime and are very experienced in dealing with large-scale fraud cases.

"We are very pleased to have taken the lead role in this operation, which spans the whole of the country. This case is of great national significance, not just to the racing community but to the wider public throughout the UK."

The Jockey Club, the organisation which governs horse racing, said it would be issuing a statement on the arrests later today.

Mr Fallon is also facing disrepute charges from the body dating back to allegations brought by undercover News of the World reporters in March.

In a showpiece career, Mr Fallon has ridden two Derby winners and won a host of top races at the highest level. He has been champion jockey six times.

Born in 1965, he rode his first winner in Thirsk in 1988. He won this year's Derby at Epsom on North Light, as well as this year's Dante Stakes at Knavesmire.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course at York Racecourse, said: "Obviously we are pleased that the authorities are taking a serious stance to protect the integrity of the sport. Everyone remains innocent until proven guilty."

Updated: 13:52 Wednesday, September 01, 2004