Banned Hopkins 'placed 978 bets'

The British Horseracing Authority has revealed disqualified jockey Matthew Hopkins placed almost 1,000 bets in a year when holding a licence.

The British Horseracing Authority has revealed disqualified jockey Matthew Hopkins placed almost 1,000 bets in a year when holding a licence.

Former apprentice Hopkins, who relinquished his licence in November, was disqualified for three years following a disciplinary panel hearing on Thursday after being found guilty of backing and laying horses.

The BHA said Hopkins placed 978 back bets on his Bet365 account between January 2013 and February 2014 and eight back bets and one lay bet on Betfair in December 2012.

The BHA accepted the bets were for "small amounts and mostly unsuccessful."

In an informal interview in December of last year, Hopkins denied betting on horses and to having a Bet365 account, but was subsequently candid at a formal interview later that month.

The BHA said it was "sympathetic" to the rider's gambling addiction, for which he is now seeking help from Racing Welfare, but pointed out he was "fully aware of what he was doing, and that it was a breach of the Rules."

During Thursday's hearing, Hopkins' solicitor, Mark Edmondson, was keen to point out Hopkins was "still only 21 and had been 19 when the breaches started", and also revealed "gambling had become an illness" for the jockey.

Edmondson said Hopkins "lacked guidance and had found it only too easy to place small bets via his mobile phone."

The solicitor also referred to various references which indicated Hopkins "had a talent for riding, wished to become a fully qualified jockey, and that any period of disqualification would prevent him from pursuing the only occupation he knew and was qualified for."

However, the panel concluded the breaches were of a serious nature and justified a penalty significantly above the entry point.

His disqualification is due to end on June 24, 2018.