Lengthy ban for champion jockey
A 13-day ban for Kieren Fallon leaves title race wide open
Champion jockey Kieren Fallon has been handed a 13-day suspension, which could open up the race for the flat jockeys’ title.
A lengthy ban for Fallon was inevitable after the Newmarket stewards had referred the rider under the totting-up system for causing intereference on Golden Nun in a nursery on August 17.
Fallon had qualified for the totting-up procedure by picking up 16 days of bans for interference within the past 12 months. His suspension runs from September 13-26, which means he misses several big races including the St Leger, Ayr Gold Cup and the important Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trials Sunday in Paris.
The Irishman was also given a further four days, suspended for three months. If he is found guilty during that period those four days will be added to any new ban.
At the start ofracing on Friday Fallon held a 13-winner lead over his nearest rival Richard Hughes, who in turn was five winners ahead of Seb Sanders.
After receiving his ban Fallon emerged from the Jockey Club’s headquarters in Portman Square and admitted both Hughes and Sanders had great chances of catching him.
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Even so, bookmakers still have Fallon hot favourite at 1-3 to win his fifth championship.
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