Latest from Horse & Hound in Kieren-fallon

Depression forces Kieren Fallon to quit race riding

Hannah Lemieux — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 15:35:39 +0000

Six-time British champion Flat jockey Kieren Fallon has made the decision to retire from the saddle due to an ongoing battle with depression.

Turf Club chief medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick — who spoke on behalf of the 51-year-old — confirmed to H&H that the jockey had decided to hang up his boots.

Dr McGoldrick revealed he had been treating the jockey for depression and that Kieren has been receiving anti-depressants medication for four months.

“Kieren has been battling depression for three years,” he told H&H. “He’s obviously shattered — for one of the greatest jockeys it feels like a loss of self-worth too, but it is good he is getting the right help.

“I have great respect for him — he’s been manly enough to stand up and say ‘yes, I have a problem.’ In the short term, the focus is to get him better, then he’ll decide what he wants to do.”

The Irishman’s successful career saw him tally 2,577 wins in the UK but it was also blighted with controversy.

Having been embroiled in a two-month corruption trial in 2007 — he was later cleared of all charges — Kieren was given an 18-month global ban from racing in 2008 after testing positive for a banned substance.

Since returning from America this spring, Kieren has been riding in Ireland and working with Curragh trainer Michael O’Callaghan.

He has not ridden in public since his two rides at the Curragh on Irish Derby day (26 June). He missed rides at Fairyhouse following a bad fall on the gallops on 29 June.

Continued below…

Owner fined £10,000 for punching Kieren Fallon

Kieren Fallon gets 18-month worldwide ban from racing

Former top jockey Kieren Fallon is cleared of race-fixing

His success in the saddle also included 161 wins in Ireland and 80 Group One victories. He claimed 30 Royal Ascot wins during his career and won the British champion Flat jockey title an impressive six times.

He also racked up 22 British and Irish Classic winners. He has ridden successfully across the globe including America, Hong Kong, France and Australia. His wins in America include in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Islington in 2003 and Ouija Board in 2004.

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Kieren Fallon banned from Derby ride

Horse & Hound — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:47:26 +0000

In a sensational twist to the Investec Derby story, the jockey Kieren Fallon is unable to take up his ride in the race on Recital after a Court of Appeal ruling this morning.

Ibrahim Araci, the owner of Native Khan, took Fallon to court on Friday claiming that the jockey had signed a contract to ride the horse, which he had then broken by taking the ride on Derrinstown Stud Derby trial winner Recital.

Araci failed to gain an injunction stopping Fallon riding Recital on Friday, but was granted leave to appeal, and the decision was turned around early on Saturday morning.

Recital, who is trained by Aiden O’Brien, is around 5-1 for the Epsom Classic. The Ed Dunlop-trained Native Khan, third in the 2000 Guineas, is around 11-1. The Queen’s Carlton House remains favourite at around 11-4.

The Investec Derby is run at 4pm today live on BBC1.

Dancing Rain wins the Investec Oaks at Epsom

Horse & Hound — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:05:55 +0000

Dancing Rain sprang a surprise in the Investec Oaks at Epsom today, leading from stalls to post to win at 20-1. Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, the chestnut Danehill Dancer filly held on gamely to resist Wonder Of Wonders and Kieren Fallon. The pair were four lengths clear of the third, Izzi Top.

Frankie Dettori received a 10-day ban for dropping his hands and losing third place on the fourth horse home, 1000 Guineas heroine Blue Bunting.

It was only Dancing Rain’s fourth run — she broke her maiden at Newbury in April and was second in a Listed race at the same track three weeks ago. Owned by brothers Martin and Lee Taylor, she gave both Johnny Murtagh and trainer William Haggas their first Oaks success.

“This is what it is all about,” said an ecstatic Haggas. “It’s just a matter of getting the right horse and on this occasion, the right jockey.

“Last year she was hopeless but she was steadily getting better and she’s still getting better. Johnny was clever, but she stays and we didn’t make enough use of her last time.

“My wife Maureen has always ridden this filly at home but unfortunately they had an accident going out of the stalls three weeks ago and Maureen broke her leg. The filly rewarded her, anyway.”

Coronation Cup for St Nicholas Abbey

The day’s other Group One contest was a thrilling renewal of the Coronation Cup. Henry Cecil’s brilliant filly Midday just failed to hold off St Nicholas Abbey, one-time favourite for last year’s Derby.

After disappointing in the 2000 Guineas, St Nicholas Abbey didn’t appear on a racecourse until this spring. He showed today that he is a top-class middle-distance horse who will give the 2010 Derby hero Workforce a run for his money in the Arc this autumn, all being well.

When St Nicholas Abbey failed to handle the camber of the track round Tattenham Corner, Midday and Tom Queally struck for home. But, happier over 10 furlongs than this mile and a half, the five-times Group One-winning mare couldn’t hold off the year-younger colt’s driving finish.

Carlton House set for the Derby

The Queen’s Carlton House will start favourite for tomorrow’s Investec Derby after seemingly overcoming some swelling in a leg earlier in the week. Although there has been huge interest from the media in The Queen’s first Derby runner since Church Parade in 1981, it was somewhat overshadowed today by the controversy that surrounds jockey Kieren Fallon’s ride in the race.

Fallon has been declared to ride the Aiden O’Brien-trained Recital, but the owner of Native Khan, another Derby runner, went to court on Friday to try to prevent him riding Recital. Ibrahim Araci claimed that Fallon had a previous contract to ride Native Khan. Araci’s bid failed, but he was given leave to appeal, which has yet to be settled, so Fallon’s participation in the Derby is as yet uncertain.

Owner fined £10,000 for punching Kieren Fallon

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:31:48 +0000

An angry owner who punched six-times champion jockey Kieren Fallon has been fined £10,000 and given a three-month ban.

David Reynolds was found guilty of violent conduct and bringing the sport into disrepute at a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) hearing in London on Monday 29 March.

Mr Reynolds stuck Mr Fallon in the unsaddling area at Lingfield Park on 20 March after Fallon’s ride Elna Bright bumped The Scorching Wind, owned by Mr Reynolds.

The Scorching Wind finished 9th and Mr Reynolds believed that Fallon was to blame for the defeat. The stewards later found the interference to have been accidental.

Mr Reynolds also hit Elna Bright’s owner Peter Crate.

At the hearing Mr Reynolds’s solicitor read a statement saying he “deeply regretted” the incident and had tried to contact Mr Fallon to apologise in person.

The Professional Jockeys Association chief executive Kevin Darley said: “We are very pleased that the BHA has dealt with this matter swiftly and that it has been made clear that such behaviour towards jockeys is completely unacceptable.

“We hope and believe that this was an isolated incident; however, there can be no repetition. One of the most attractive aspects of our sport is that spectators can get close to the participants.

“Jockeys welcome this and the relationship that we have with the racing public. We would not want this to be jeopardised.”

BBC special delves into Kieren Fallon’s career

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:39:38 +0000

Fans of controversial Flat jockey Kieren Fallon will not want to miss a documentary about the disgraced champion to be shown on TV next week.

The BBC1 Inside Sport Special: Kieren Fallon — The Ride to Redemption goes out on Monday, 14 December at 11.20pm.

“My racing comeback has proven to all who doubted me that I am capable of becoming champion jockey for a seventh time,” said Fallon.

“Unfortunately headlines have left people with a distorted opinion of me as a person.”

During the show, Fallon tells broadcaster and former amateur jockey Clare Balding about his turbulent career, explaining how he wants to turn his life around following an 18-month racing ban after failing a drugs test for cocaine.

Fallon also talks candidly about his six-month ban for pulling jockey Stuart Webster off his horse, allegations of race fixing and alcohol problems.

He told H&H: “There are two sides to every story and now I have the chance to tell the public my side.”

The programme includes contributions from John Francome, Frankie Dettori and Sir Michael Stoute.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (10 December, ’09)

Kieren Fallon chooses Fizz Equine Marketing

Horse & Hound — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:26:45 +0000

Equestrian PR firm Fizz Equine Marketing is now representing six-times champion jockey Kieren Fallon.

“We are so excited that Kieren has given us this opportunity,” explains Jayne Gingell Managing Director of Fizz. “We feel we are perfectly positioned to raise Kieren’s profile, as both a sporting celebrity and racing genius, as well as crossing the boundaries of the equine world and racing.

“We aim to show what a kind and generous man he is, as well as a true horse lover who has a natural affinity with our equines.”

Fizz has been working with Kieren in the development of his new website: www.kierenfallonracing.com

Kieren says: “Jayne Gingell is great company and very professional. I have every faith in her and her team’s ability to help us change the face of racing.”

The company is also working with Derby House to drive sales and helped launch the new Julie Templeton showing range at HOYS last week.

Other companies working with Fizz include Hack Up Ltd (the suppliers of OxyShot and Vetrofen), Healing Tree, Falcon Equine Feeds and Wicked Equestrian. Other top riders using the company’s services include Richard Ramsay, Julie Templeton, Dan Sherriff and Lisa White.

Jockey Kieren Fallon back in the saddle after ban

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:11:26 +0000

Six-times champion Flat jockey Kieren Fallon has finished second in his first race back after an 18-month ban from the sport.

Fallon finished second in the 2.20 at Lingfield aboard the Amy Weaver-trained Rare Malt this afternoon (Friday 4 September).

Fallon was banned by the French jockey club after tested positive for cocaine following his ride on Myboycharlie winning the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville in August 2007.

Because of the drugs ban and a trial into alleged race-fixing of which he was cleared, Fallon has not ridden in Britain for three years.

And he has not raced since 7 October 2007 where won Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

On Tuesday (1 September) Fallon was granted a licence to ride by the British Horseracing Authority.

The former champion jockey has seven rides on his first day back — four at Lingfield and three at Kempton tonight.

Racing fans are expected to turn up in force to welcome the former champion back to the track — Lingfield is estimating double the regular crowd attendance this afternoon.

Race-fixing hearing against Lynch, Burke, Williams and Rodgers begins

Horse & Hound — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:28:32 +0000

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has begun a disciplinary enquiry revisiting the Old Bailey race-fixing trial of December 2007, which sensationally saw champion jockey Kieren Fallon in the dock.

Former owner Miles Rodgers, trainer Karl Burke and jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams all face a possible disqualification from the sport should they be found guilty.

The BHA hearing, which started today (Thursday 25 June) could last up to a week and follows a BHA review of the evidence obtained during the Old Bailey Crown Court case 18-months ago.

Although the trial against Kieran collapsed, the BHA requested information from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the City of London Police against the other defendants.

Kieren is currently sitting out an 18-month suspension for a failed drug test and is expected to return to raceriding in September.

But Lynch, Williams, Burke and Rogers all now face charges.

The charges relate to runners in 12 races during a five-month period in 2004.

During that period betting accounts allegedly held by Mr Rodgers, who had been banned from racing for laying horses, risked more than £800,000 in lay bets — betting on them to lose.

The accounts are reported to have won more than £87,000, despite one horse winning and losing the accounts £40,000.

The trainer and two jockeys face charges of passing inside information for reward to Mr Rogers, knowing he was already banned.

Mr Lynch also faces charges of not running a horse to its merits and receiving profits from placing bets.

Both jockeys are also charged with failing to provide records and information to BHA investigators.

Mr Burke, who is currently having his best season as a trainer, is also charged with attempting to mislead investigators.

Charges against Mr Rodgers include causing Lynch, Williams and Burke to be in breach of the rules, laying horses through inside information placing bets on Lynch’s behalf and providing the jockey with the proceeds.

Kieren Fallon free to return to raceriding from September 2009

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:24:45 +0000

Kieren Fallon will be free to ride in races again from September 2009, when his 18-month ban by France Galop for cocaine use expires.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) today (Friday 28 November) announced that it would be taking no further disciplinary against the six-time champion jockey at the end of its investigation into the alleged laying of 27 horses in 2003-4.

The 27 races took place between 30 September 2003 and 14 April 2004. Nineteen of the horses were ridden by Fallon, 5 by Dean McKeown and 3 by Dean Mernagh.

The BHA concluded that none of the jockeys will be disciplined further as none are currently licensed to race in UK. But if they wish to ride again then they must all apply to the BHA to be relicensed.

If he wants to return to raceriding, Fallon will have to complete an extensive drug testing and assessment programme as well as gaining a favourable report from the BHA medical team. He has also agreed to attend training on inside information.

A statement from the BHA said that it had “given considerable weight to admissions made by Fallon in relation to the past and his willingness to accept a rigorous regime to ensure he is, and remains, both drug free and compliant with the Rules of Racing regarding the use of inside information”.

Fallon also admitted that his attitude to inside information in the past had been “reckless” and that he had been “too free with such information and careless about whom he passed it to”.

Bruce Bennett and sons Mark and Lloyd, and 4 other non-licensed individuals who are alleged to have done the laying, have all refused or failed to co-operate with the investigation and the BHA have now begun the process to exclude them from licensed premises.

Mernagh and McKeown, who are not currently licensed, would have to prove they are “fit and proper” to be able to return the sport.

McKeown is currently banned until November 2012. In an a separate investigation in October he was found guilty of conspiracy and corruption as well as intentionally failing to run 4 horses to their merits.

And on 4 November, while awaiting the full results of the decision on these charges he was found guilty of not running a horse to its merits at Southwell and banned immediately.

Fallon and five others — including jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams — were cleared of race fixing charges in a trial at the Old Bailey last December.

Panorama returns to reveal the “Dirty Secrets” of horse racing

Horse & Hound — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:09:04 +0000

Nearly six years after its original expose on corruption in horse racing, the BBC’s Panorama is back this week with a follow-up investigation entitled “Racing’s Dirty Secrets”.

Reporter Paul Kenyon will be looking behind the scenes of racing in an hour-long special to be shown at 9pm on Wednesday, 30 July.

Little information has been revealed about the content of the programme though it is believed it will feature the recent crown court trial involving Kieren Fallon, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams.

It is also thought to be focusing on the use — and misuse — of inside information, the growth of internet exchange betting sites and on the increased number of gamblers “laying” runners — betting on horses to lose rather than win.

A BBC statement said: “Paul Kenyon reveals why those running the sport are so concerned about gamblers betting large sums of money on horses not to win but to lose. While ordinary punters risk their cash on picking winners, those in the know are playing a different game altogether.”

Paul Struthers from the British Horseracing Authority said: “If Panorama is making the allegation that there are some people attacking the sport and trying to cheat, then we’d be the first to admit that there are, and always have been. Any sport where betting is involved will attract people on the fringes who will try to cheat the odds by obtaining and misusing inside information. And within the sport there are some people who are susceptible to these corrupting influences, either because they are greedy or naïve.

“Since Panorama first approached us, we’ve been completely open with them. We don’t have anything to hide and we want them to understand our position and everything we’ve done on behalf of racing. Racing has invested large sums of money in fighting corruption.

“If, therefore, Panorama has uncovered any evidence of wrongdoing, then we would welcome such evidence so we can act on it.”

In October 2002, Panorama went behind the scenes in a programme called “The Corruption of Racing”, which included an allegation by the former Jockey Club head of security Roger Buffham of “institutional corruption”.

www.bbc.co.uk/panorama/

Kieren Fallon loses final appeal against ban

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:47:48 +0000

Kieren Fallon has lost his final appeal to reduce his 18-month worldwide ban. The ruling was given on Monday, 3 March, after his hearing eight days earlier.

The six-time champion jockey was issued with the ban in January by France Galop (H&H online news 25 January).

Mr Fallon was given the suspension when he tested positive for a banned substance after winning the Prix Morny at Deauville on Myboycharlie on 19 August 2007.

The test came just two months after Mr Fallon had returned to race riding following a six-month ban for a previous positive test.

The suspension is due to end in September 2009, when Mr Fallon will be 44 years old.

Kieren Fallon gets 18-month worldwide ban from racing

Horse & Hound — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:23:17 +0000

Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon’s career could be at an end after failing a random drugs test. It was revealed today that he has received an 18-month worldwide ban that begins on 2 February.

Mr Fallon tested positive last August after winning the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville on Myboycharlie.

Last month Mr Fallon was cleared of charges of intending to defraud Betfair customers. During the case he was banned from riding in Britain.

Mr Fallon has already lodged an appeal following a hearing in Paris this week. He only returned to race riding in June last year after failing a prohibited substance test the summer before.

British Horseracing Authority to discuss collapse of race-fixing trial

Horse & Hound — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:40:59 +0000

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) called a meeting on Tuesday (10 December) to discuss the next steps after the £10m race-fixing trial collapsed last Friday.

The BHA had already confirmed that they would re-analyse evidence from the criminal trial to assess whether there were breaches of the Rules of Racing which would require disciplinary action regardless of the lawsuit outcome.

The BHA and the police came under constant criticism during the case, which foundered due to lack of evidence. Many experts had suggested that Tuesday’s BHA board meeting would yield high-profile resignations.

However, chief executive Nic Coward issued a statement reiterating the BHA’s commitment to preserve racing’s integrity and outlining their plan to review the race-fixing trial according to their ongoing strategy.

“British horse racing has led the way in tackling issues associated with the modern betting environment,” he said. “We will continue to do so.”

Coward also confirmed that the BHA did not fund the trial.

Non-executive director Ben Gunn stressed that “Kieren Fallon was not the focus of this information [which caused the Jockey Club to suspect criminal activity]”.

Kieren Fallon drug test the latest blow to his career

Charlotte White — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:28:49 +0000

Just 24 hours after walking from court, cleared of race-fixing charges, six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon career was thrown back into chaos.

A second failed drugs test was confirmed in France last weekend. Cocaine and a metabolite of the drug were detected in his test result.

The 42-year-old is waiting to receive the results of the B sample from a laboratory after being informed of the positive test.

The positive test came after he rode Myboycharlie in the Prix Morny at Deauville on August 19.

But racing’s insiders have backed Fallon to make a comeback from this adversity, as he has done so many times in his career.

Pivotal moments in Fallon’s career

1994 – banned for six months for dragging Stuart Webster from his horse at Beverley
2000 – suffers career-threatening shoulder injury at Royal Ascot and misses the rest of the season
2003 – he enters a rehabilitation clinic with alcohol problem
2004 – banned for three weeks after easing prematurely and being beaten on Ballinger Ridge at Lingfield.
2007 – the 11-week trial over the conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers ended with Mr Justice Forbes directing the jury to find the six defendants not guilty.

See this week’s H&H for more comment on the future for Fallon.

Former top jockey Kieren Fallon is cleared of race-fixing

Horse & Hound — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:47:15 +0000

Former champion jockey Kieren Fallon has been cleared of race-fixing — alongside two fellow jockeys and three other people.

The trial over the conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers, which began on 8 October at the Old Bailey, has ended with Mr Justice Forbes directing the jury to find the six defendants not guilty.

The case against the accused was that they were infringing Jockey Club rule 157 by stopping horses racing on their merits in 27 races between December 2002 and August 2004.

The prosecution said that large sums of money had been laid on the horses after a series of texts and phone calls involving the jockeys Fallon, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams.

But the flaw in the £10million case was that no one could prove that the jockeys had interfered with their horses’ running.

Dylan Thomas wins Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe

Catherine Austen — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:13:44 +0000

Dylan Thomas survived a 35min enquiry to win the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe and cement his place as Europe’s best middle-distance horse on Sunday 7 October.

Ridden by Kieren Fallon (pictured), for whom this was a second Arc triumph, the four-year-old son of Danehill held off a fast-finishing Youmzain to give his trainer, Aiden O’Brien, a first Arc victory.

The team were perhaps lucky to keep the race — French rules concerning interference during a race are far stricter than in Britain — but there can be no doubt that the best horse won.

For Dylan Thomas, who has won all his six outings under Kieren Fallon, this was a sixth Group One triumph, and this year he has also won the Prix Ganay at Longchamp, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and a second successive Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

He is likely to finish his racing career in the Breeders’ Cup Turf later this month at Monmouth Park, New Jersey, but he will not be ridden by Fallon, whose trial starts at the Old Bailey today.

He, along with five others, are accused of conspiracy to defraud betting exchange punters.

Authorized, the Epsom Derby winner, pulled hard and never looked comfortable under Frankie Dettori. The best British finisher was Youmzain, who came within a head of giving former England footballer Mick Channon a first Arc winner.

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report from Longchamp in this Thursday’s magazine (11 October, ’07)

Racing week: Six-month ban for Kieren Fallon

Horse & Hound — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:28:08 +0000

Kieren Fallon’s situation has gone from bad to worse this week. First his application to race in Hong Kong was refused, then he was handed down a six-month ban from riding in France after testing positive for a prohibited substance earlier this year.

Despite rumours that the six-month ban could be the final nail in the confin for his racing career, Fallon’s legal team have stated that he will be back.

On Monday (27 November) Fallon was denied a license from the Hong Kong racing authorities to ride the Aiden O’Brien-trained Scorpion in the prestigious Hong Kong Vase. Seamus Heffernan has since been named as Fallon’s replacement.

Then on Wednesday France Galop announced that Fallon had tested positive for a prohibited substance in a sample collected on 9 July. The governing body of horseracing in France banned him from riding under its rules for six months, starting 7 December. The substance is understood to be a extremely small amount of Benzoylecgonine, which is the principal metabolite of cocaine.

Forest Gunner retires

Aintree specialist Forest Gunner, fifth in the 2005 Grand National, has retired from racing at the age of 12.

Despite standing only 16hh, the popular chestnut — who starred in H&H’s first Lucinda Green rides column (6 April) — relished the mighty National fences and it was at the Liverpool course that he ran his final race in the Becher Chase.

Trainer Richard Ford told H&H: “At his age, we were just taking it one race at a time, and after the Becher we decided the time was right to call it a day. He deserves a long and happy retirement, although I think he’s going to take some entertaining. He likes being a busy wee lad!”

Best remembered for winning the 2004 Fox Hunters’ Chase at Aintree with the trainer’s wife, Carrie — who had given birth just 10 weeks earlier — on board, the son of Gunner B never fell in a 25-race career.

Mr Ford added: “We’ve all had the most fantastic journey with him.”

Tattersalls gross 100 million guineas

Tattersalls is celebrating after its most successful December Sales ever. The December Sales turnover was up 36% at 100,630,900 guineas and included a world record price for a broodmare, a European record price for a filly in training and seven seven-figure transactions. Con Wilson’s Magical Romance became the most expensive broodmare ever sold at 4,600,000 guineas, while Group 1 winner Spinning Queen is the most expensive filly in training in Europe at 3,000,000 guineas.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said: “What a great way to round off a marvellous year. We knew that we had a special catalogue for the Mares’ Sale and the foal sale last week was spectacular, but we could never have predicted the extraordinary level of trade this week. The Tattersalls December Sales record books have been completely rewritten over the last four days.”

Racing week: BBC to launch new racing drama

Horse & Hound — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 14:07:02 +0000

Filming has started for a drama which the BBC hopes will be as successful as Ballykissangel. Entitled ‘Rough Diamond’, the show will have a slot in the Sunday night viewing schedule this winter and is likely to start in January.

The series details the life of a struggling trainer whose fortunes are turned by a horse, Rough Diamond who is uncontrollable until the return of a long-lost son. Filming, which is taking place in County Kildare will continue for the next month and will include coverage form Irish meetings.

Ayr redevelopment underway

The winners’ enclosure and paddock at Ayr is to be re-sited adjacent to the track around 100 yards past the winning post. The multi-million-pound project, celebrating the racecourse’s centenary next year will mean the winner of next April’s Scottish Grand National will be cheered into a new winner’s enclosure.

The full redevelopment of Ayr is expected to cost around £53 million and involves a retail area featuring a multiplex cinema, casino and 400 houses.

Fallon’s Australia ticket hangs in the balance

Kieren Fallon is expected to hear today whether he will be allowed to ride Yeats in the Melbourne Cup at the beginning of November. Racing Authorities in Australia are considering a report by chief steward Des Gleeson on the jockey but so far no verdict has been cast.

Helen Lewis becomes full time trainer

Helen Lewis has become a full time trainer in Wales after her application was approved last week. Lewis, 39, has the backing of multi-millionaire owner David Walters from whose Cardiff yard she will train from. For the time being, Lewis will be a private trainer but hopes to go public when the license comes up for renewal.

Brave Inca to start defence

Brave Inca is ready to begin the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown at the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown next month. According to trainer Colm Murphy, the eight-year-old has summered well since being defeated by Macs Joy at Punchestown in May.

Racing week: Fallon’s appeal rejected

Carol Phillips — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 12:48:30 +0000

The Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) has rejected Kieren Fallon’s appeal against being banned from race riding in Britain. Fallon was banned from racing in Britain last week after being charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race fixing.

Fallon claimed that the ban, which will last until after his trial for the charge of conspiracy to defraud, was denying him his right to earn a living, and that it would effectively end his career as a leading jockey. The trial is not expected to begin until Spring 2007 at the earliest. However, the HRA ruled that Fallon should not be involved in racing pending his trial on the basis that any such involvement would be detrimental to the best interests of racing.

In a statement released through his solicitors Fallon said he was “deeply disappointed” by the HRA’s refusal to allow him to race. “I will take the matter to the High Court, and beyond if necessary, to reinstate my rights to earn a living in the UK and participate in the sport that I love.”

Trainer Alan Berry, who has also been charged as part of the same police investigation, has had his suspension lifted on appeal and will be allowed to continue to train and race horses while he awaits trial.

14-day ban for champion jockey

Jamie Spencer has been dealt a severe blow in his attempt to retain his championship crown after being handed a 14-day ban for careless riding. Spencer was 19 winners adrift of Ryan Moore when the ban was issued, leaving it a near impossible feat for Spencer to claw his way back to the top.

Bad news for Barbaro

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who had initially been recovering well following surgery to a broken bone sustained in the Preakness, has taken a serious turn for the worse. He has undergone repeated surgery on his off-hind following complications and has now developed severe laminitis in his near-hind. The vets overseeing his treatment are describing his chances of recovery as “poor”.

Sue Smith loses stable jockey

Successful jump jockey Dominic Elsworth has decided to go freelance in a move that allows him to ride for other trainers but leaves Sue Smith, wife of former international show jumper Harvey, without a stable jockey, reports the Racing Post. Elsworth has ridden 192 winners for Smith during his career. The split is described as amicable and Smith said that she intended to continue offering Elsworth rides.

Fallon on charge of conspiracy

Horse & Hound — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 12:40:55 +0000

Keiren Fallon, along with fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch, Darren Williams and the former racing syndicate director Miles Rogers, have all been charged with conspiracy to defraud as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption in the racing industry.

All denied the charges, which are related to an online betting exchange, and were released on bail; they are now due to appear in court on 17 July.

All the jockeys concerned have been banned from racing in Britain pending hearings with the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) on Friday 7 July.

The police have said they are investigating allegations that there was a conspiracy to defraud for more than 80 races over two years.

Jockeys Robert Winston and Paul Bradley, plus the amateur rider Dale Jewett are also due to answer bail.

Kieren Fallon disciplinary inquiry dropped

Horse & Hound — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:15:38 +0000

The Jockey Club has dropped its inquiry into whether Kieren Fallon and John Egan tarnished “the integrity and good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain” when dealing with some undercover reporters from News of the World.

The inquiry by the Jockey Club’s Disciplinary Panel was launched earlier in the year after the Sunday tabloid published a series of highly damaging articles where it alleged that Fallon and Egan were involved in race-fixing.

Although he refused payment for tips, Fallon was allegedly lured into telling the News of the World journalists that odds-on favourite Rye would beat his mount, Ballinger Ridge, at a race at Lingfield Park. Ballinger Ridge later lost to Rye on the line after having pulled as much as 10 lengths clear of the rest of the field earlier in the race. Fallon admitted meeting the reporters but vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

When the articles were published in March, it appeared that Fallon and Egan could face a charge of bringing racing into disrepute. “There can be no argument that the articles in question, and the accompanying media coverage in general, damaged the reputation of British racing,” says Jockey Club spokesman John Maxse. “After reviewing the dossier initially handed over by the News of the World, it was considered that there was evidence to warrant holding an [inquiry] which would seek to establish whether or not Kieren Fallon and John Egan, through their dealings with the reporters, were culpable for the ensuing negative coverage racing received.”

Since then, however, the News of the World has submitted additional information to the Jockey Club and “after examining the material in total and having taken advice from our legal team, we no longer consider that there is sufficient evidence to merit a disciplinary hearing,” says Maxse.

Speculation is rife that the Jockey Club’s decision may have been influenced by the revelation that Fallon’s solicitor, Christopher Stewart-Moore, was looking at publishing the transcripts of the News of the World tapes to clear the jockey’s name. Stewart-Moore announced yesterday that he will not release the transcripts of the tape recordings now that the Jockey Club hearing has been dropped.

The Jockey Club has also informed the City of London Police of their decision. The force is currently conducting an investigation into racing and an alleged conspiracy to defraud, which may have taken place earlier in the year. The police are still pursuing their investigation which, according to Maxse, “is much broader in scope than the matters which were to form the basis of the Jockey Club enquiry into Kieren Fallon and John Egan’s conduct with the News of the World undercover reporters.”

Fallon, who was arrested as part of the police investigation last September, will have to answer bail next April. Meanwhile, he has instructed his solicitors to get a retraction from the News of the World.

Fallon arrested in race-fixing operation

Horse & Hound — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 12:11:55 +0000

Three jockeys, including champion jockey Kieren Fallon are among 16 people who have been arrested by police as part of an investigation into alleged race-fixing, according to the BBC.

Dawn raids took place this morning at addresses in Suffolk, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Hertfordshire, resulting in 16 arrests for alleged conspiracy to defraud.

The other two jockeys to have been arrested in the operation are Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, while trainer Karl Burke is also being held in custody in connection with the investigation.

“Earlier this year it became apparent that what had started out as an investigation into possible breaches of the Rules of Racing had uncovered evidence which indicated criminal activity which could undermine the integrity of horseracing”, explained Paul Scotney, who heads the Jockey Club’s Security Department.

“Consequently, we decided to refer the matter to the City of London Police, our decision also took account of the fact that the Jockey Club has no powers of search or arrest and has very limited powers when investigating individuals not bound by the Rules of Racing at the Jockey Club.”

City of London Police Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Wilmott, the officer in charge of the operation, states “Of the people we have arrested three are jockeys and one is a horse trainer. We have amassed a large amount of information, including computer records and documentation seized today, and will now commence the detailed task of examining it all”.

The allegations are believed to involve more than 80 races over the last two years, a figure which calls to mind the words uttered by Ladbroke’s Chief Executive Chris Bell in May, that at least one race a day in Britain is fixed.

This latest sting operation follows a series of high-profile incidents this year which have plagued racing. Kieren Fallon himself was banned for 21 days in March for “failing to obtain the best possible placing” at a Lingfield meeting.

Furthermore, allegations involving the champion jockey were subsequently made by The News of the World, and Fallon is due, along with colleague John Egan, to face a Jockey Club disciplinary panel later this month to establish whether they acted in a manner “which was prejudicial to the integrity and good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain”.

The Jockey Club meanwhile announced in June that it was taking steps to get to the bottom of controversial rumours about race-fixing, including the incident when jockey Sean Fox apparently jumped off his mount in the middle of a race.