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Drug smuggler lands six-month ban • Criminal made £151 when Rascal In The Mix was beaten• Ruling body may tighten process by which owners are vettedThe process by which syndicate members are vetted may be changed after Stephane Hassiakos, described as "a non-nominated partner" in the filly Rascal In The Mix, was banned for six months for laying that horse on Betfair before a race at Southwell in November 2008.At the time Hassiakos had only recently been released from prison, having served four years of a nine-year sentence for masterminding a major drugs ring, which imported cannabis with a street value of £10m into north-west England.Only two members of a syndicate are required to register in full as owners with the British Horseracing Authority. Other members are simply listed as "non- nominated partners" on a horse's registration form. As such they are not subject to the BHA's "fit and proper person" test for owners.Paul Struthers, the BHA's spokesman, said that consideration may be given to a change in the rules that would require nominated partners to vouch for the "fit and proper" status of non- nominated partners."It would be very onerous for all concerned to require every partner in a horse to be fully registered," Struthers said. "It would mean a great deal more work for Weatherby's [racing's administrative service] and also a great deal more expense for owners."But a change to the responsibilities of the nominated owners is something we will look at, though it is not straightforward."Struthers also confirmed that Hassiakos's conviction for a serious criminal offence meant that it was "unlikely" he would pass the BHA's fit-and-proper test.At the hearing into the Southwell race today the BHA's disciplinary panel heard that Hassiakos placed two lay bets, risking a total of £513.79, before Rascal In The Mix made her debut in a maiden race at a starting price of 14-1. Hassiakos, having laid her at a substantially shorter price, stood to make £151.52 if she was beaten.In the race the filly was slowly away, but made progress under little pressure from her jockey, Dean McKeown, before finishing fifth, without ever being put into serious contention.McKeown had been given leave to continue riding by the BHA pending an appeal against a four-year ban for corruption offences. That leave was immediately revoked after his ride on Rascal In The Mix and McKeown, whose riding career is almost certainly over, is currently serving his suspension.Hassiakos admitted a breach of the rules of racing but said that he had not been aware that it was against the rules to lay a horse in which he had a share.The panel accepted that he had been "co-operative and straight throughout the investigation and inquiry", but "wished to make it clear that ignorance ... is not a valid argument" for a breach of the rules. It banned Hassiakos from the sport for six months from tomorrow.Horse racingDean McKeownGreg Woodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |