Bail-jumping jockey John Egan last night was given permission to carry on racing in Britain even though a warrant has been issued for his arrest in Hong Kong over an alleged race-fixing scam.
Egan, 34, has been riding in Britain since April, two months after he was arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly taking a bribe - believed to be $20,000 - in return for racing tips.
He failed to answer bail on June 30 and Independent Commission Against Corruption investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest on Tuesday.
As news of the warrant reached Britain, Egan was summoned to appear before a Jockey Club Licensing Committee hearing in London yesterday to decide if he should be stripped of his right to ride in the UK.
After a closed-door hearing, officials announced in a statement that they had decided not to suspend Egan's licence for the time being.
A spokesman said: 'The committee took very seriously the fact that John Egan is understood to be facing a charge in Hong Kong. However, the facts alleged in support of the charge were not sufficiently clear for the committee to determine the gravity of the alleged conduct relating to the charge.
'The committee therefore intends to make further inquiries and reconvene at the appropriate time. In the meantime, John Egan is able to continue as a licensed jockey.'
