Jockey Dylan Kitts has been given a nine-year ban, concluding the lengthy British Horseracing Authority investigation into the ride on Hillsin at Worcester in July 2023.

The investigation has been ongoing since Hillsin's run in the Wacky Weekender Festival Pitchcroft 21st-23rd July Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on 5 July, where Dylan Kitts was considered to have given a tender ride to the gelding, finishing a fast-finishing third.

An associate of the owner Alan Clegg, John Higgins, was deemed to be the 'the leading light in the conspiracy' and was given a twelve-year-ban.

Trainer Chris Honour did not receive a ban and was only considered to have breached the Rules of Racing by 'giving deliberately misleading evidence at a Stewards' Enquiry'. He will receive a fine of between £500 to £5000.

The British Horseracing Authority released a statement, saying: "The penalties handed down to John Higgins and Dylan Kitts today for conspiring to prevent Hillsin from winning sends a clear message that British racing will not tolerate conduct of this kind.

"Running and riding horses to achieve their best possible position is the minimum standard expected of all participants in British racing. It is vital that those engaging with the sport have confidence that what they are seeing unfold on the track is clean and fair.

"The actions of Mr Higgins and Mr Kitts, which disregarded that basic expectation, undermined the efforts of the tens of thousands of people who work tirelessly across the country to ensure British racing remains a global leader built on a culture of integrity and fair competition.

"We therefore welcome the sanctions imposed by the independent disciplinary panel, which reflect the seriousness of this breach of the rules of racing.

"This investigation was extensive in its nature, not dissimilar to a complex fraud case. Significant quantities of evidence were analysed and numerous interviews conducted, while this was also the first in which telephone data extraction powers were utilised.

"Such work calls for detailed scrutiny of large amounts of data in order for it to be translated into tangible information and to fulfill our disclosure obligation. Given the seriousness of the allegations in this case, it is right that all appropriate efforts were made to reach this outcome."