A SIXTH jockey has been arrested as part of a police investigation into alleged race fixing.

Gyles Parkin, 32, was arrested yesterday in Malton, North Yorkshire. He was questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud as part of an inquiry led by City of London Police and later released on police bail.

A total of 27 people have now been arrested including former champion jockey Kieren Fallon, North Yorkshire jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams and Middleham trainer Karl Burke. They were arrested and bailed in September. York jockey Robert Winston was arrested and bailed last month.

During the investigation into alleged race-fixing, more than 130 police officers have raided 19 addresses across North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

Police are analysing more than 1,000 exhibits, including 59 phones and several computers. The inquiry is examining allegations of fixing involving more than 80 races over the past two years.

Parkin's agent Richard Hale said yesterday: "I haven't spoken to Gyles - but I have been reliably informed by a number of people that it is him.

"He hasn't been riding for a while because his shoulder has been bothering him, but he was preparing for the coming season."

Parkin injured his neck and spine in a fall in June 2002, before returning to competition in 2003 and riding 11 winners last season.