A young jockey, Dylan Kitts, admitted to deliberately restraining a horse named Hillsin from winning a race at Worcester in July 2023 after allegedly receiving threats from John Higgins, the father-in-law of Premier League footballer Ashley Barnes. The incident triggered a lengthy British Horseracing Authority (BHA) investigation involving Kitts, Hillsin’s trainer Chris Honour, and Higgins, who were accused of conspiring to prevent the horse from achieving its best possible position. Higgins, who has been barred from participating in the inquiry due to medical reasons, and Barnes, who was excluded for non-cooperation but not charged, were linked through betting activities and financial transactions with Kitts.
Evidence presented included footage showing Kitts giving a “stopping ride” and telephone records revealing extensive communication between Higgins and Kitts, including money transfers from Barnes to Kitts. The investigation highlighted suspicious betting patterns and attempts to influence race outcomes, with Higgins promising potential future opportunities tied to his wealthy son-in-law. Despite the registered owner Alan Clegg backing Hillsin to win and not being involved in the scheme, the inquiry remains ongoing as the BHA continues to unravel the full extent of the corruption allegations.
