Greg Fairley
Flat jockey McGregor Fairley, always known as Greg, was born in Hawick, Scotland on January 7, 1988, the son of Andrew Fairley, a champion jockey on the ‘flapping’ circuit with over 600 winners to his name.
Flat jockey McGregor Fairley, always known as Greg, was born in Hawick, Scotland on January 7, 1988, the son of Andrew Fairley, a champion jockey on the ‘flapping’ circuit with over 600 winners to his name.
Greg went to the same school in Hawick as another future jockey, Keith Dalgleish. He rode nine ‘flapping’ winners before leaving school and joining Mark Johnston. He went on to enjoy plenty of success and was crowned champion apprentice in 2007 with 65 winners.
Greg went to the same school in Hawick as another future jockey, Keith Dalgleish. He rode nine ‘flapping’ winners before leaving school and joining Mark Johnston. He went on to enjoy plenty of success and was crowned champion apprentice in 2007 with 65 winners.
The best horse with which he was associated was Johnston’s filly, Lady Jane Digby. He won seven races on her including two Group races in Germany, the Group 3 Stutenpreis at Bremen in 2009 and, in 2010, his sole Group 1 success, the Grosser Dallmayr Preis Bayersches Zuchtrennen at Munich, a prize worth £80,000. He also won two English Listed races on her including the 2010 Warwickshire Oaks.
The best horse with which he was associated was Johnston’s filly, Lady Jane Digby. He won seven races on her including two Group races in Germany, the Group 3 Stutenpreis at Bremen in 2009 and, in 2010, his sole Group 1 success, the Grosser Dallmayr Preis Bayersches Zuchtrennen at Munich, a prize worth £80,000. He also won two English Listed races on her including the 2010 Warwickshire Oaks.
However, in May 2011, Greg Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were among those charged with “conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice” following a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) investigation into suspicious betting on races. They were accused of “intentionally failing to ensure that their horse was run on its merits” and were alleged to have liaised with betting exchange account holders, offering information about horses for gain.
However, in May 2011, Greg Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were among those charged with “conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice” following a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) investigation into suspicious betting on races. They were accused of “intentionally failing to ensure that their horse was run on its merits” and were alleged to have liaised with betting exchange account holders, offering information about horses for gain.
As if matters weren’t serious enough, Greg then had a falling out with his employer Mark Johnston after his mother, who was also his agent, made a serious error of judgement in pointing out to Johnston over the phone that Greg was being sent to all ends of the country for one or two rides. She concluded by saying she thought that it was not in Greg’s interest for her to carry on taking bookings on that basis.
As if matters weren’t serious enough, Greg then had a falling out with his employer Mark Johnston after his mother, who was also his agent, made a serious error of judgement in pointing out to Johnston over the phone that Greg was being sent to all ends of the country for one or two rides. She concluded by saying she thought that it was not in Greg’s interest for her to carry on taking bookings on that basis.
Johnston did not take such criticism lightly. Greg had ridden 231 winners in the previous five years for Johnston, who had given him 1,329 rides in that time and his mounts had won over £2.2 million. Only first-choice stable jockey Joe Fanning had had more rides for the yard.
Johnston did not take such criticism lightly. Greg had ridden 231 winners in the previous five years for Johnston, who had given him 1,329 rides in that time and his mounts had won over £2.2 million. Only first-choice stable jockey Joe Fanning had had more rides for the yard.
Greg’s career plummeted from thereon. He rode what proved to be his last winner on Master Of Dance for trainer Peter Salmon in a Newcastle claiming race on August 29, 2011. He had his final ride on Ruler’s Honour, finishing seventh in a Catterick maiden on September 17, 2011.
Greg’s career plummeted from thereon. He rode what proved to be his last winner on Master Of Dance for trainer Peter Salmon in a Newcastle claiming race on August 29, 2011. He had his final ride on Ruler’s Honour, finishing seventh in a Catterick maiden on September 17, 2011.
On December 14 of that year, Greg and Paul Doe were each handed bans of 12 years, following the publication of the BHA’s findings into alleged corruption. Neither jockey attended the hearing to learn of their sentences. They had both announced that they were retiring from the sport before the BHA concluded its investigation. Greg, who had ridden a total of 377 winners, returned to his native Scotland to learn a new trade as a tree surgeon.
On December 14 of that year, Greg and Paul Doe were each handed bans of 12 years, following the publication of the BHA’s findings into alleged corruption. Neither jockey attended the hearing to learn of their sentences. They had both announced that they were retiring from the sport before the BHA concluded its investigation. Greg, who had ridden a total of 377 winners, returned to his native Scotland to learn a new trade as a tree surgeon.
Within a year he was back to roots, riding in ‘flapping’ races at Hawick. Although banned from riding at official race meetings run under rules, he is free to ride on the unlicensed circuit where prizes are a few hundred pounds – something his father Andrew also continued to do.
Within a year he was back to roots, riding in ‘flapping’ races at Hawick. Although banned from riding at official race meetings run under rules, he is free to ride on the unlicensed circuit where prizes are a few hundred pounds – something his father Andrew also continued to do.