Jockey returns to racing days after being arrested with two colleagues over 'gang rape of 18-year-old girl during late-night party'

  • The girl was left badly injured following the alleged attack in Chiseldon
  • Brendan Powell Jnr, Sean Mooney and Richard Condon, were arrested 
  • She alleges the attack took place during a late night party near Swindon 
  • Mooney was arrested in jockey's weighing room at Doncaster racecourse
  • Powell Jnr returned to racing today, finishing third in 1pm at Kempton 

By Matt Hunter For Mailonline

Published: 23:09 GMT, 6 November 2016 | Updated: 15:26 GMT, 7 November 2016

A jockey who was arrested on suspicion of raping a girl at a late night party has returned to horse racing today.

Brendan Powell Jnr, 21, and fellow jockeys Sean Mooney and Richard Condon, 20, were arrested and bailed over the incident, which took place at a house in Chiseldon, Swindon. 

The girl was said to be left with 'appalling injuries' following the attack on November 3, which she claims happened at one of jockey's homes.

Powell Jnr placed third in the 1pm race at Kempton Racecourse in Surrey this afternoon, riding 33/1 shot Gannicus. 

Brendan Powell Jnr, 21, pictured, pictured today at Kempton Racecourse in Surrey, is one of three men arrested over the alleged rape

Powell Jnr returned to racing today placing third on Gannicus, pictured, at Kempton

The jockey, pictured, was arrested at his home on Friday (November 4) alongside fellow jockey Richard Condon. Another jockey, Sean Mooney, was arrested a day later

He is not set to appear in any more races today. 

Police arrested Mooney on Saturday (November 5) before he was about to race in Doncaster. They detained him whilst he was in the jockey's weighing room. 

The news of the arrests of the up-and-coming jockeys has already rocked the tight-knit world of racing.

One source told the Sun: 'They are all very good jockeys and very popular. It will come as a huge shock to punters and everyone who knows them.'

Mooney had been due to ride Cincuenta Pasos in an apprentice handicap at 4.05pm before police arrived. Racecourse bosses scrambled to find a replacement jockey to take his place.  

Police arrested Powell Jnr at his home with Irish jockey Condon who races on the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire for trainer Neil King.

A stand-in had to replace Powell Jnr as he was due to ride Our Reward in a National Hunt novices hurdle race at Liverpool's Aintree course on Saturday while he was in police custody at the time.

Police arrested Mooney (pictured racing last month) before he was about to race in Doncaster. They detained him whilst he was in the jockey's weighing room

The men were arrested on suspicion of rape and released on bail until a date in late December pending further inquiries (Richard Condon pictured)

Powell Jnr's family is well known in racing as he is the son of a Grand National winner and top trainer, Brendan Powell Snr.

The 21-year-old became a professional at just 16 and has ridden 14 winners this season alone.

His father, who describes himself as having 'two talented kids' on his Twitter profile, won the 1988 Grand National on Rhyme ‘N’ Reason and now works as a trainer at Frenchmans Lodge Stables in Lambourn, Berkshire.

Condon made his professional race debut in 2015 and has competed in 10 flat races, winning once at Nottingham earlier this year. He has earned around £3,500 in prize money over his career so far.

Mooney, originally from Dublin, rides for trainer Joseph Tuite at Felstead Court Stable, also in Lambourn. 

Powell Jnr with his father Brendan Powell Snr who is a former Grand National winner

One stable worker told the Sun: 'It has left everyone here numb. We all work hard and there is a close-knit and very friendly scene.' 

Mooney has competed in 49 races in the past two years, with his three wins coming at Bath, Kempton and Chepstow. His total prize money stands at almost £15,000.

Powell Jnr previously told MailOnline how he was 'living the dream' when he turned professional at 16, despite being too young to drive himself to racecourses around the country.

He said: 'I'm living the dream. This is what I've always wanted to do, but I'm finding it difficult getting around the country.

'I'm 17 later this month, but haven't had time yet to fix up any driving lessons.'

Police detained Mooney whilst he was in the jockey's weighing room at Doncaster racecourse (pictured)

He started out in Cork in the Irish pony circuit and quickly displayed talent, with his father describing him as 'miles ahead of me' when he was a teenager. 

His younger sister Jennifer, 19, is an apprentice jockey working with trainer Henry Candy.

Detectives rushed to the scene after the girl, from Surrey, told police the following morning. 

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: 'Detectives from Wiltshire Police are investigating an allegation of rape of a 18 year old woman that occurred on November 3 at a residential address in Chiseldon, Swindon.

'Two men aged 21 and 20 were arrested on 4 November and a third man, aged 20, was arrested on Saturday 5 November. All were taken to a local police station.

'They have since been bailed to return on a date in late December.'

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