Fallon to ride Ballydoyle Horses

[Aykay1]

From Sporting life.... FALLON TO RIDE BALLYDOYLE HORSES Kieren Fallon has this evening been unveiled as the new retained jockey for the Ballydoyle operation. His appointment comes on the back of weeks of intense speculation following the shock resignation of Jamie Spencer, who quit his post with Aidan O'Brien earlier this month after just one season in the hot seat. Confirming the new appointment, a Coolmore press release said: "Owners John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are delighted to announce that Kieren Fallon will be the retained jockey for the horses at Ballydoyle and elsewhere for the 2005 season." It is understood that Fallon will not only ride the O'Brien-trained horses at Ballydoyle, but will also have first call on horses owned by Magnier, Tabor and Smith but trained elsewhere. The announcement brings an end to his partnership with Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute, for whom he has been stable jockey since 1999. The Freemason Lodge yard still contains North Light, on whom Fallon won the Vodafone Derby last year. It is not yet clear whether Fallon would be able to maintain his link with the Ed Dunlop-trained Ouija Board, whom he guided to success in the English and Irish Oaks last summer as well as the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. It also puts his link with Michael Bell's Derby hope Motivator in serious doubt. The six-times champion, who turned 40 on Tuesday, is still on bail from the City Of London Police as they continue an investigation into alleged race-fixing. Fallon, who has not been charged with any offence, is due to appear at a police station in April. He has been riding in the United States this winter, based at Gulfstream Park in Florida, and had stated his intention of staying there until March or even April. However, he returned to Britain on Monday. Only recently he had said how "committed" he was to his job with Stoute and had expressed high hopes for his association with Ouija Board and Motivator for the 2005 season. The position at Ballydoyle became available after Spencer officially resigned on February 6. He was inevitably under pressure last year in his first season in the high-profile role with O'Brien, and he was stung by criticism of some of his rides. But he ended the year as Ireland's champion at the age of 24 and his link-up with the Ballydoyle stable produced late-season Group One winners in Ad Valorem (Middle Park Stakes) and Oratorio (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere). However, there were plenty of low points, too, in a poor year for the powerful operation, in particular defeats for the likes of One Cool Cat, Antonius Pius and Powerscourt. Spencer was disqualified on Powerscourt after finishing first in the Arlington Million, and was then criticised by some for committing too early on him in the Breeders' Cup Turf. He also came under fire in some quarters for his ride on the frustrating Antonius Pius, who finished second in the Breeders' Cup Mile. But it was not his fault that the flow of big-race winners from Ballydoyle dried up, with only three Group One successes all season, compared to nine in 2003, 19 in 2002 and 23 in 2001. Since quitting his post, which was previously occupied by Michael Kinane, Spencer, who marries television presenter Emma Ramsden on Saturday, has ridden freelance and has renewed his association with the likes of David Loder in Newmarket. With Ballydoyle expected to provide the future stallions for the great Coolmore Stud operation, connections will be hoping Fallon's arrival coincides with renewed success on the racetrack.