The gambling syndicate and the threats that drove a riding legend out of Britain

As Nick Pulford recalled in his column last month, Rachael Blackmore's accolade as the BBC's World Sports Star of the Year for 2021 was the second for racing in the history of the award. The first went to jockey George Moore in 1967.

That was a stellar season for the Australian, who came to Britain to take over from Lester Piggott as stable jockey to Sir Noel Murless at Warren Place, Newmarket, after Piggott had left the role to ride for Vincent O'Brien. Murless had already been champion Flat trainer five times and would take the title in four more years, including 1967. The partnership won the first three Classics among a host of top races, but that was Moore's first and last season in Britain.

It was revealed that he and his family had been threatened and rumours circulated that he had fallen foul of Chinese triads for failing to carry out demands related to their betting activities, but, almost 55 years on from the events, the truth has never come out – until now.