Charles Byrnes: a disturbing case that leaves many vital questions unanswered

Three years ago, I wrote a column that stressed the limitations of both the IHRB and the BHA when it comes to compelling unlicensed individuals who are trading on betting exchanges to cooperate with regulatory investigations.

It was written in the wake of the BHA’s investigation into Willie Mullins’ vet Tim Brennan, a weak case based on circumstantial evidence that failed to uphold the regulator’s charge that Brennan had passed on inside information after Faugheen picked up an injury that was going to rule him out of the 2016 Champion Hurdle.

At the time, notwithstanding the well-intentioned memorandum of understanding, I flagged how little had changed in the 14 years since the Hillside Girl saga first highlighted how unlicensed exchange traders are not obliged to recognise the authority of racing’s regulators. The same is true of the intervening three years.