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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Roger Black and British relay icons finally receive gold medals… 28 YEARS after controversial race tinged with tragedy
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITAIN'S relay runners have finally received world championship gold medals…28 YEARS after the race took place. Roger Black, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson and reserve Mark Hylton finished second in the men's 4x400 metres relay final behind the United States at the 1997 Worlds in Athens. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Britain's relay runners have finally been given their gold medals 28 years after the World Championship race took place Credit: PA:Empics Sport 3 Great Britain's men's 4x400m relay team (left to right) Mark Richardson, Jamie Baulch, Roger Black, Iwan Thomas and Mark Hylton got the medals during a special ceremony Credit: PA The quartet ran a time of 2:56.65 while American sprinters Jerome Young, Antonio Pettigrew, Chris Jones and Tyree Washington came home first in 2:56.47 in the Greek capital. Yet a retrospective anti-doping violation by Pettigrew – in 2008 he was banned for two years after admitting he used prohibited substances – meant the Yanks were belatedly booted out of the event. This resulted in the Brits being upgraded to the gold medal position but it has taken almost three decades before they got their hands on the gongs. A special medal ceremony led by World Athletics President Seb Coe took place at the London Stadium on Saturday at 1.30pm on a wet afternoon in Stratford. READ MORE SPORT KEEL DEAL Bikini babe Keely Hodgkinson stuns in bath with fellow athletes joining comments And the British national anthem was also played in front of the sell-out crowd. UK Athletics say the presentation 'offers a long-awaited opportunity to celebrate a landmark moment in British athletics and to honour a team who exemplified fairness, resilience and excellence on the global stage'. Pettigrew, who was born in Georgia, was caught up in the BALCO doping scandal and admitted during the trial of former coach Trevor Graham that he had doped. As a result, the US Anti-Doping Agency annulled all of Pettigrew's competitive results after January 1997. 3 The American quartet (left to right) Tyree Washington, Chris Jones, Jerome Young and Antonio Pettigrew were stripped of their gold medal a few years ago Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He also voluntarily surrendered his 2000 Sydney Olympics 4x400 metres relay gold medal and his 1997 and 1999 world championship relay golds. In August 2010, Pettigrew was found dead in the backseat of his locked car in North Carolina. He was 42 years old. 'Freakish athlete' Anthony Elanga shows off insane 100m time ahead of Newcastle transfer An autopsy report said the cause of death was diphenhydramine toxicity – it was ruled that he had committed suicide by overdosing on a drug common to sleeping pills. One of the reasons it has taken so long to happen is that the five guys had not managed to coordinate diaries for an event taking place in the UK after it was all confirmed in 2021. Yet there is a bittersweet feeling among the contingent given that Pettigrew felt compelled to take his own life when his drugs shame went public. Welsh star Baulch, 52, said: 'I've said this to a few people now. If there was an option of giving this gold medal to him, I'd rather him have the gold medal than him taking his life. 'His life is far more important to me than me having this gold medal.' Former European 400 metres champion Thomas, 51, said: 'On the one hand it's a real shame it's taken this long. 'On a personal level, it's really beautiful today. My son Teddy, who is six, is here today. I didn't have any children back then. 'My mum and dad are pretty elderly now. They're up in the box. For them to be able to see the moment I should have had with the boys 28 years ago, but in front of a British crowd, it felt really special.'
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tyson Fury the Grand National winner? Boxing legend aiming for a knockout over jumps with £50,000 horses
COULD we soon be talking about Tyson Fury the legendary boxer - and Grand National-winning horse owner? That dream recently took a step closer after it was confirmed the former heavyweight king has moved into jumps racing. Advertisement 2 Tyson Fury is moving into jumps racing with a hugely promising horse who could be destined for big things when the season kicks off proper over the winter months Credit: AFP 2 Jimmy Moffatt will be the trainer tasked with turning Fury's horses into serial winners Credit: PA:Empics Sport Big Gypsy King, a three-year-old filly owned by Fury and his manager Spencer Brown, has But now Fury is keen for success in the National Hunt game - after buying two horses for £50,000 and sending them into training with Jimmy Moffatt. Top bloodstock agent Jerry McGrath signed for former Joseph O'Brien horse Cossack Chach at the Goffs UK October Sale in Doncaster last year. Fury and Brown splashed £36,000 on the two-time winner and also bought £14,000 Sea The Clouds, who's already won at Moffatt's local track Cartmel. Advertisement Bosses at the Lancashire venue - not far from Fury's Morecambe home - are busy planning for the boxer's possible arrival during one of their summer racedays. Fury - who is Speaking to the "Tyson has not been to the yard yet but there was talk he was going to make an appearance at Cartmel this summer, although I see they're getting busy again now. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing "I saw him at the track three years ago so he's certainly been there at least once." Moffatt has high confidence Sea The Clouds - who he said was a 'steal' at the price - will love the fast summer conditions. He was beaten just a nose over 2m6f at Cartmel in May - and won at the track for his previous trainer Jamie Snowden this time last year. Coassack Chach, a five-year-old gelding, is 'more of a chasing type and hopefully we'll have a bit of fun with him'. Advertisement Moffatt added: "We're giving him a couple of months off before starting him for a proper winter campaign. "He's a proper chaser – a great big horse with a big engine." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Jockey banned for role in ‘biggest race-fixing storm ever' beaten by 40-1 outsider on first ride back in 14 years
FAIR'S FAIR Jockey banned for role in 'biggest race-fixing storm ever' beaten by 40-1 outsider on first ride back in 14 years A JOCKEY banned from racing for his role in the 'biggest race-fixing storm ever' was beaten by a 40-1 outsider on his first ride back in 14 years. Greg Fairley beat William Buick to the Champion Apprentice title in 2007 and looked all set for superstardom in the saddle. 2 Greg Fairley was banned for 12 years for his role in a race-fixing storm... but returned for the first time at Ayr on Monday Credit: PA:Empics Sport 2 The jockey was caught out wide, far right, on Superior Council - as 40-1 outsider South Road sprung a major surprise He would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone. But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for two of the most serious rules breaches. He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose - 'failing to obtain the best possible placing' - and passing on inside information for reward. A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the 'largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history'. Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, 'corrupting' jockeys in the process. Fairley last rode 14 years ago but, having served his time and been regranted a licence by the BHA, he made his comeback at Ayr on Monday. The ring that led to 66 years of bans - what happened? By Sam Morgan GREG Fairley was part of what at the time was called 'the biggest race-fixing ring ever' in British racing. He and fellow rider Paul Doe were hit with 12-year bans following a BHA probe. While Kirsty Milczarek, who was the girlfriend of six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, was banned for two years and Jimmy Quinn got a six-month suspension. Five others - Nick Gold, Peter Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick and Liam Vasey - were also found guilty of 'corrupt or fraudulent practice'. Vasey, Kendrick and Harris were banned for five, four and three years respectively, while the Golds were later banned for seven and five years respectively as part of a separate investigation. The probe found that owners Maurice 'Fred' Sines and James Crickmore - who were given the biggest 14-year bans - were the leaders of the ring that netted almost £280,000 from ten races. The case all centred around horses being backed to lose races between January and August 2009. BHA director Paul Scotney said at the time: "The investigation uncovered a network through which Sines and Crickmore engaged in betting activity, in particular with two riders, Paul Doe and Greg Fairley, that impacted on seven of the 10 races in question. "In the BHA's history, the scale and complexity of this case is unprecedented." Fairley, who would go onto become a tree surgeon, found more controversy after the ban. There were calls for him to repay £1,500 spent on teaching him to how to use a chainsaw as part of a jockeys' retraining scheme. But it was later deemed 'impractical' to pursue him for the money. Scottish trainer Iain Jardine gave Fairley, who in his own words ran away' back home to Scotland to run a tree surgery business before the BHA announced his ban, the ride on 4-1 Superior Council. The six-year-old gelding, who had finished first and second on his two most recent starts, had been backed into as short as 3-1 before drifting slightly before the off. But despite jumping well from the stalls he found little in the 6f race and finished eighth pf 16. Former Amo Racing jockey Kevin Stott was on the winner - two-time Grand National champ Lucinda Russell's 40-1 South Road. In a statement written before his return, Fairley addressed his past ban and said it's all now behind him as he focuses on winning again. Fairley wrote: "Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions. "I'm incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance. "I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jockey banned for role in ‘biggest race-fixing storm ever' beaten by 40-1 outsider on first ride back in 14 years
A JOCKEY banned from racing for his role in the 'biggest race-fixing storm ever' was beaten by a 40-1 outsider on his first ride back in 14 years. Greg Fairley beat William Buick to the Champion Apprentice title in 2007 and looked all set for superstardom in the saddle. Advertisement 2 Greg Fairley was banned for 12 years for his role in a race-fixing storm... but returned for the first time at Ayr on Monday Credit: PA:Empics Sport 2 The jockey was caught out wide, far right, on Superior Council - as 40-1 outsider South Road sprung a major surprise He would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone. But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose - 'failing to obtain the best possible placing' - and passing on inside information for reward. A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the 'largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history'. Advertisement Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, 'corrupting' jockeys in the process. Fairley last rode 14 years ago but, having served his time and been regranted a licence by the BHA, he made his comeback at Ayr on Monday. The ring that led to 66 years of bans - what happened? By Sam Morgan GREG Fairley was part of what at the time was called 'the biggest race-fixing ring ever' in British racing. He and fellow rider Paul Doe were hit with 12-year bans following a BHA probe. While Kirsty Milczarek, who was the girlfriend of six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, was banned for two years and Jimmy Quinn got a six-month suspension. Five others - Nick Gold, Peter Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick and Liam Vasey - were also found guilty of 'corrupt or fraudulent practice'. Vasey, Kendrick and Harris were banned for five, four and three years respectively, while the Golds were later banned for seven and five years respectively as part of a separate investigation. The probe found that owners Maurice 'Fred' Sines and James Crickmore - who were given the biggest 14-year bans - were the leaders of the ring that netted almost £280,000 from ten races. The case all centred around horses being backed to lose races between January and August 2009. BHA director Paul Scotney said at the time: "The investigation uncovered a network through which Sines and Crickmore engaged in betting activity, in particular with two riders, Paul Doe and Greg Fairley, that impacted on seven of the 10 races in question. "In the BHA's history, the scale and complexity of this case is unprecedented." Fairley, who would go onto become a tree surgeon, found more controversy after the ban. There were calls for him to repay £1,500 spent on teaching him to how to use a chainsaw as part of a jockeys' retraining scheme. But it was later deemed 'impractical' to pursue him for the money. Scottish trainer Iain Jardine gave Fairley, who in his own words ran away' back home to Scotland to run a tree surgery business before the BHA announced his ban, the ride on 4-1 Superior Council. The six-year-old gelding, who had finished first and second on his two most recent starts, had been backed into as short as 3-1 before drifting slightly before the off. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Exclusive But despite jumping well from the stalls he found little in the 6f race and finished eighth pf 16. Former Amo Racing jockey Kevin Stott was on the winner - two-time Grand National champ Lucinda Russell's 40-1 South Road. In a statement written before his return, Fairley addressed his past ban and said it's all now behind him as he focuses on winning again. Fairley wrote: "Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions. Advertisement "I'm incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance. "I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke Humphries follows Luke Littler in hitting back at former World Darts champion after ‘let country down' jibe
GOT THE HUMP Luke Humphries follows Luke Littler in hitting back at former World Darts champion after 'let country down' jibe Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE HUMPHRIES has followed the lead of Luke Littler and hit back at Dennis Priestley's explosive claims that the pair 'let their country down' following an early World Cup exit. Two-time world champion Priestley, 74, slammed world No.1 Humphries and reigning world champion Littler for losing in the second round to hosts Germany last weekend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Luke Littler and Luke Humphries crashed out the World Cup in their first match Credit: X @SkySportsDarts 2 Dennis Priestley said the pair 'let their country down' Credit: PA:Empics Sport It was their first appearance together in the team format but disappointingly the pair were beaten 8-4 by Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko amid a cacophony of boos from the Frankfurt crowd. The English duo were red-hot favourites to claim the title heading into the event. But Wales star Gerwyn Price said that the two Lukes did not arrive together nor spend enough time in each other's company – and essentially failed to gel behind the scenes. That shock defeat came the day after it was announced the two Englishman – the top two on the world rankings – were going to receive recognition in the King's Birthday Honours List. READ MORE IN DARTS GOTTA HAVE FAITH Luke Littler, 18, takes next step with new girlfriend Faith Straight-talking Yorkshireman Priestley also said in his chat with bookmakers OLBG that neither player had 'done enough to earn their MBEs just yet'. Cool Hand Luke, 30, lifted the World Cup crown with Michael Smith in 2024 and has vowed to return next year with The Nuke by his side. The former world champion said on his social media account: 'Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke. 'I didn't let my country down last year though, did I? JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 'One bad game for us and we will back next year to go again. Let's move on now.' On Thursday, Littler screenshotted an article that contained the quotes and captioned it up as saying: 'Don't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did… Being made an MBE shows I've helped 'change face of darts' says Luke Humphries 'That's what I would say anyway.' That message was later deleted off his Instagram Stories. Littler is the most recognisable figure in the sport and his Instagram account mushroomed to 1.9 million followers shortly after he burst on to the scene in December 2023. His next appearance on the oche will be at the bet365 US Darts Masters, which will be held on June 27-28 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.
