A RACEHORSE trainer has branded a 12-month ban for providing insider information as "unfair and excessive".

Middleham-based Karl Burke says he will appeal the punishment handed out by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

The ban was imposed after the trainer admitted supplying inside information on races to former owner Miles Rodgers.

He also admitted associating with Rodgers, who at the time was disqualified from involvement in racing.

However, a statement issued by his solicitors said that the breaches occurred in "unusual circumstances".

It explained that Rodgers was an owner of horses and co-investor in land at Mr Burke's yard at Spigot Lodge, near Middleham, at the time.

The statement said: "This business relationship was on-going at the time Mr Rodgers was warned off and continued for a short period thereafter.

"During this period of contact Mr Burke also had some associations with Mr Rodgers connected with horse racing including the imparting of opinion on the running of six horses and the sale of the horse Khanjar."

According to his solicitors, Burke received no payment from Rodgers for providing his opinion on the races.

The statement said that he spoke to Rodgers about the races in order to prevent any difficulty in the replacement of Rodgers as an investor at Spigot Lodge.

"Mr Burke was misguided in associating with Mr Rodgers in this way and has admitted these failings," the solicitors said.

"He does not dispute being liable for a penalty for these breaches but the penalty imposed by the BHA is unfair and excessive."

The statement said the penalty "far exceeded" what might have been expected after two jockeys, who were also involved in the plot, received far lighter punishments.

Darren Williams, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, was banned for three months, while Fergal Lynch, formerly of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, paid a £50,000 fine.

Lynch has now also been banned from riding at Philadelphia Park, in the US, where he moved ahead of the panel's decision.

The disciplinary panel described former gambler and racehorse owner Rodgers as having "wreaked havoc with the sport" and last week made him the subject of an indefinite exclusion order.

Burke, 46, has been enjoying his best season ever. Earlier this month he landed his first Group 1 winner with Lord Shanakill.