Former leading jump jockey Graham Bradley has launched his High Court appeal against a five-year ban from horse racing.
Bradley was banned for eight years in 2003 after being found guilty of passing on privileged racing information for rewards.
The ban was later reduced to five years at a Jockey Club Appeal Board hearing, but Bradley wants Mr Justice Richards to grant him an injunction or damages for breach of contract.
The order prevents Bradley, 44, from entering any racecourse or premises owned, used or licensed by the Club and from dealing in any capacity with a racehorse.
Bradley, now a bloodstock agent, claims that the disqualification order is unlawful and would "strangle" his fledgling business.
Bradley was in court in London to hear his QC, Timothy Higginson, argue that the ban was disproportionate, in breach of contract and an unreasonable restraint of trade.
"If the court concludes ultimately - which I say is inevitable - that the imposition of this ban will simply take away Mr Bradley's livelihood completely and forever, then it has a short decision to make in its reviewing process," Higginson said.
Bradley, who retired in December 1999 after 17 years as a National Hunt jockey, says he has been prevented from earning a living in the only field in which he has any experience or skill.
During his career, Yorkshire-born Bradley won the 1982 and 1997 Hennessy Gold Cups, the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the 1984 and 1986 Welsh Nationals, the 1985 Irish Grand National and the 1996 Champion Hurdle.
The contested hearing continues. |
