STINGY LEVELS OF prize money are partly to blame for jockeys who become involved in race-fixing, insists Champion Jockey Tony McCoy.

Earlier this week, the British Horseracing Authority handed out a combined 66 years of bans when a long-running inquiry found 11 individuals — including four jockeys — guilty of corruption.

But in his weekly column for the Daily Telegraph, McCoy suggested today that racing chiefs should take a look at themselves as well if they wish to tackle the problem at its roots before it destroys the sport completely.

McCoy had a double for trainer Jonjo O’Neill at Uttoxter yesterday but still insisted that the paltry levels of prize money on offer are making it harder and harder for jockeys to earn a living wage.

“Not one race met the Horsemen’s Group’s tariffs on prize money – the most valuable was worth less than £3,000 to the winner,” McCoy wrote.

“Despite a couple of winners, I’d have made more from my riding fees than I would have done from prize money, which is a complete disgrace.

It’s no wonder a handful of jockeys get tempted to break the rules. It’s harder than ever now to make a living from this sport and if you are struggling for rides and winners you really are in for a bleak time.