Eddie Ahern found guilty of three breaches of British Horseracing Authority rules following corruption inquiry The jockey, who is planning to appeal, was found guilty along with former West Bromwich Albion footballer Neil Clement for "conspiring to commit a corrupt and fraudulent practice" related to the laying of five horses between Sept 2010 and Feb 2011. Clement was banned for 15 years and fined £3,000. In addition Ahern, who was said to be devastated, was found guilty of "communicating inside information for reward," but eight of his 10 years were for intentionally failing to ensure Judgethemoment was ridden on his merits at Lingfield in Jan 2011. The most interesting fact to emerge from the case was when it came to the Judgethemoment ride. In nearly all previous stopping cases the horse had been held up at the rear and not given a chance in the race until too late. However, the panel found that Ahern had got the gelding beaten by going too fast in the early stages. The jockey contended it was an "ill-judged ride," but he was five lengths up after a furlong and completed the first six furlongs 2.56 seconds faster than any other leader at the same stage in 32 other two-mile races over the course in a 2½-year period, the equivalent of 39 lengths faster than the median time of the leader at that stage. Judgethemoment trailed in last. Tipperary born Ahern, 35, is a popular figure. Champion apprentice in Ireland in 1997, he came to Britain in 2002. From 2003 to 2006 he rode over 100 winners each year peaking in 2006 with 140 winners. For the last few season he has been on-off third jockey for Sir Henry Cecil for whom he partnered Frankel's pacemaker Bullet Train in the International Stakes in 2012. Until now most of his brushes with authority were over his use of the whip. His disqualification began immediately.