From the RP. SPECULATION over whether Kieren Fallon has turned his back permanently on British racing intensified on Monday night as it emerged he will miss the Investec Derby Festival. The six-time champion jockey, who is without peer in his mastery of Epsom's tricky contours, was expected to return from the United States for the showpiece meeting, but his weekend recruitment of an agent to book rides suggests he intends to stay, at least for the time being. Fallon has not been seen in action in Britain or Ireland since May 18 after reportedly suffering a foot injury at Newmarket the previous weekend, and it was believed the break in California where he spent most of the winter riding, was to weigh up his options. The news Fallon had been engaged for the Patrick Gallagher-trained Belle Et Bete, a reserve for an allowance option claimer for three-year-fillies at Santa Anita on Friday when the cream of the female Classic generation take centre-stage in the Oaks, a race the 50-year-old has won on four occasions in addition to the Derby three times, came out of the blue for his UK agent Simon Dodds. "I haven't heard anything from Kieren," admitted Dodds on Monday. "I have got rides for him at Epsom if he's back, but nothing's been confirmed and I'm still waiting to hear." Fallon's 2,000 Guineas victory last year aboard Night Of Thunder launched the latest revival in his turbulent career and coincided with a rise up the Godolphin pecking order to be main jockey for Saeed Bin Suroor for whom he rode twelve months ago in both the Oaks and Derby, but the association later cooled and Fallon relocated to Santa Ainta last October where his stay yielded four winners before returning to the UK in March by way of Dubai. So far this season he has mustered ten winners and when Night of Thunder, now owned by Godolphin, won last month's Lockinge Stakes under James Doyle, Fallon was at Newmarket where he drew a blank from four mounts. Contacted by the Racing Post, Gallagher said: "If Belle Et Belle gets in Friday's race, Kieren will ride her. He hasn't been riding work for me, but he's been here (at Santa Anita racecourse) the last two or three mornings." Agent Sarah Wolfe said: "I picked Kieren up yesterday. We spoke briefly about it and he's named on a horse not drawn for a race on Friday yet, but he does intend riding at Santa Anita. I don't know how long he will be staying, but he is here now and he is planning on riding here as far as I know."
2nd (5) s.h 1 Ballinger Ridge A M Balding 5 9-7 b K Fallon 15/8
Led, 10 lengths clear halfway, still clear when shaken up over 1f out, jockey appeared to take it easy entering final furlong, ridden and headed near finish opened 7/4 touched 5/2
2nd (5) s.h 1 Ballinger Ridge A M Balding 5 9-7 b K Fallon 15/8Led, 10 lengths clear halfway, still clear when shaken up over 1f out, jockey appeared to take it easy entering final furlong, ridden and headed near finish opened 7/
The news ... came out of the blue for his UK agent Simon Dodds. "I haven't heard anything from Kieren," admitted Dodds on Monday. "I have got rides for him at Epsom if he's back, but nothing's been confirmed and I'm still waiting to hear."
That is what is telling -- that he can't be bothered to tell his own agent.
The news ... came out of the blue for his UK agent Simon Dodds."I haven't heard anything from Kieren," admitted Dodds on Monday. "I have got rides for him at Epsom if he's back, but nothing's been confirmed and I'm still waiting to hear."That is what
Erm, if he's in American then I don't actually think it's morning there King of Dubai.
It was his agent himself who on 21st May said Fallon had hurt his foot and so would be out for "at least" 10 days and presumably any booking he made for him at Epsom had to be done at the 4 day declaration stage.
Erm, if he's in American then I don't actually think it's morning there King of Dubai. It was his agent himself who on 21st May said Fallon had hurt his foot and so would be out for "at least" 10 days and presumably any booking he made for him at Eps
Good riddance is putting it mildly, its somewhat amusing that some imbeciles actually defend him even though they have no idea of what hes really like.. People that he would squash into the ground in a blink of an eye championing his cause is actually bewildering. And before anybody says it , yes i do happen to know people personally who were within his inner circle for years, and this is one lovely chap.
Good riddance is putting it mildly, its somewhat amusing that some imbeciles actually defend him even though they have no idea of what hes really like.. People that he would squash into the ground in a blink of an eye championing his cause is actuall
not much respect for his UK agent...has left him looking a prize plum
maybe fact they race at same track for weeks on end in US has swung it...forever getting delayed on motorways over here
not much respect for his UK agent...has left him looking a prize plummaybe fact they race at same track for weeks on end in US has swung it...forever getting delayed on motorways over here
The trouble, as Maxse knows only too well, is that no amount of investigation will persuade the doubters that racing is not 'bent'.
Well, it's a tough sell when you've blatantly stopped Top Cees a few yrs earlier...'racing' dont forget quite so quick.
Agree re B Ridge, tho..only the terminally stupid believe that was a stopping job
The trouble, as Maxse knows only too well, is that no amount of investigation will persuade the doubters that racing is not 'bent'.Well, it's a tough sell when you've blatantly stopped Top Cees a few yrs earlier...'racing' dont forget quite so quick.