The case against jockeys Kieren Fallon (42), Fergal Lynch (29) and Darren Williams (29), as well as three other men including Lynch's brother Shaun (38) collapsed yesterday.

All six were acquitted by an Old Bailey jury on the directions of trial judge Mr Justice Forbes.

He said there was no case to answer following defence submissions at the end of two months of prosecution evidence.

The three jockeys, as well as driver Shaun Lynch, gambler and businessman Miles Rodgers (38), and barman Philip Sherkle (42) were all cleared on the directions of the judge after being accused of plotting to throw races.

Rodgers was also found not guilty of concealing the proceeds of crime.

Fergal Lynch said later: "It's been very tough and has been very hard for my family and friends. They are the people who have suffered the most. It's a massive weight off my shoulders."

The British Horseracing Authority said after the case: "The restrictions placed on the three jockeys involved in the proceedings expired at the conclusion of the proceedings.

"Kieren Fallon, who is licensed by the Irish Turf Club, is therefore able to ride in Great Britain, and Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams are able to re-apply for their jockey licences."

Fergal Lynch's father, Charles, said: "They have been made scapegoats and we are very annoyed at the way this has been done. If I took the whole of next week I couldn't explain it all to you but put simply this has been a blatant disgrace and a waste of public money.

"The prosecution knew months ago that their case wouldn't stand up.

"The man from Betfair admitted at the start of the trial he had misled police as to the amounts that had been gambled and then they brought in an expert witness from Australia who doesn't know how things work here.

"Jim McGrath and John Francome (the TV commentators) are experts but you had a situation where the prosecution said Jim McGrath is not an expert. That's just like saying Mike Tyson is a ballerina."

Mr Lynch has been involved with horses for over 30 years. What has hurt him the most over the last two years is seeing his horses win but without them being ridden by his son, Fergal.

"Whatever statements are now made it won't make up for the fact we have been deprived of Fergal riding these winners. That hurts. We are only in this game for fun, like the majority of other people.

"Our horses are over being trained with Michaels Dodds in England and that is our biggest regret that Fergal has not been able to ride.

"We've been through hell and we knew all along they had nothing to answer for. We are just so relieved. I just hope and pray that the media, the TV and the papers who spent months writing stories about my sons will now tell how they were used and abused.

"I hope all the papers in Northern Ireland will write about how they have been treated over the last 18 months.

"The pressure has been immense. This will take us weeks to get over, we're just so relieved."

His wife, Mary Lynch, added: "We're delighted with the news."