Timeline: how 'unreliable' Carter kept changing his version of events

On Thursday former rider Adam Carter was found guilty of riding Blazeofenchantment other than on its merits after an investigation spanning more than three years that took many twists and turns as Carter's version of events kept changing . . .

June 4, 2014
Following pre-race reports of suspicious betting patterns and a ride described in the disciplinary panel notes as "remarkably eye-catching", the Southwell stewards call an inquiry into the running and riding of Blazeofenchantment, who finished seventh of nine under Carter in a 7f handicap. Carter states his instructions were to try to make the running and get to the rail, but the gelding started slowly and would not face the kickback.

September 2014
Carter is interviewed by BHA investigators for the first time and admits he gave Blazeofenchantment a poor ride, saying he “wasn’t up to it” because of a falling out with his girlfriend Lauren Mulholland. He says John Wainwright's riding instructions were "try and be handy".

Newark Festival 2014 Handicap

April 16, 2015

An unsigned and undated statement, drafted with the help of Vicky Smart, wife of trainer Bryan Smart, Carter's employer at the time, is handed to the BHA at Carter's second interview. In the statement Carter claims he was told in a phone call on the way to the course that “we might not be trying today” by John Wright, whom he describes as the horse's owner. In contrast to his previous account Carter claims Wainwright told him to “miss the break and not be in the first four”.

Disciplinary panel result and reasons

July 19, 2017
Carter attends the BHA inquiry and dramatically makes wholesale changes to his previous account, claiming he had not spoken with Wright at all during his journey to Southwell and also withdrawing the allegation that he was told by Wainwright “to miss the break and not be in the first four”. He suggested he had been “brainwashed” by the Smarts, who told him he could expect more lenient treatment for his ride if he admitted he had stopped the horse.

August 17, 2017
Carter is called an unreliable witness by the disciplinary panel, who label his assertion that he had been "brainwashed" by the Smarts a "disgraceful one, particularly given the support they had provided to him". Carter and two others are found guilty, but Wainwright and Wright are cleared of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice.

If you are interested in this, you might also like:

BHA reveals cost of disciplinary controversy

Pitman promises common sense after joining disciplinary panel