Findon trainer Nick Gifford today told of his fears that his sport's image might be damaged beyond repair.

Champion jockey Kieren Fallon was one of three riders arrested yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged race fixing.

Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams were named as the other two, together with trainer Karl Burke.

More than 130 police officers raided 19 addresses across Suffolk, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Hertfordshire and arrested a total of 16 people for alleged conspiracy to defraud.

Of those arrested, by early evening 11 had been bailed to appear at a London police station in two months' time.

The investigation centres on suspicions of corruption within horse racing and fixing the outcome of races.

It is understood the allegations involve more than 80 races over the past two years.

Three years ago, Leighton Aspell, who rode for Nick's father Josh, was one of several arrests in another investigation into corruption in racing and was never charged.

Nick, who took over Josh's licence, said: "I'm surprised by the news.

"If there is any corruption obviously it needs to be stamped on quickly and the people made an example of so it will deter others.

"But we've had these dawn raids in racing before when Leighton was arrested and everyone was cleared and innocent. Then it was a foul up on behalf of the authorities.

"They'd better come up with something because if they don't it could damage the sport's image beyond repair. Let's hope they've got it right this time."

Lewes trainer Sheena West is also concerned about the public's image of racing in the wake of the investigation.

West, based at Balmer Farm, said: "The public's perception that racing is fixed is now quite large.

"That is wrong and misleading. If there are races which are fixed it is a tiny minority, the vast majority are not.

"I wouldn't dream of doing it. If I did I wouldn't be living on a council estate and driving around in a six-year-old car.

"I had a 66-1 winner (Wizard of the West) last week and I didn't have any money on it. I survive on a shoestring and so do a lot of others and we don't want to risk our livelihoods.

"No one plays it totally straight in any sport but the minority ruin it for the rest and give the idea that everything is fixed."

Phil Bell, general manager at Brighton Racecourse, said: "If people are breaking the rules they should be brought to justice. Racing has to be seen to be as clean as possible in a world dominated by gambling.

"There have been a number of arrests over the years, which implies there is fixing, but, as it stands, no one has been punished. We've got to think of the long-term image of our sport and it is crucial the Jockey Club and the police do a thorough investigation."

Plumpton chief executive Patrick Davis said: "It's not good for racing. But it shows the Jockey Club and police are clamping down.

"All those named have been from the flat racing world and, although racing is tarred as a whole, it hopefully won't impact too badly on Plumpton as we are just a jumps course."

Plumpton's first meeting of the season is on September 19.

Gifford reserved any judgment on those arrested.

He said: "I'm not going to jump on any bandwagon, they are innocent until they are proved guilty, aren't they?"

Fallon, Lynch and Darren Williams were due to be back in action today. All three have booked rides, with Fallon due at Salisbury, Lynch at Redcar and Williams at Carlisle.

Solicitors acting for Fallon said they expect the six-times champion jockey to be cleared of any allegations of race-fixing following his arrest.