Six-time champion Jockey Kieren Fallon today announced his retirement from the saddle as a result of ongoing problems with depression, which he has been battling with for nearly three years.
The 51-year-old is undoubtedly one of the greatest riders of the modern era, and has ridden a total of 2,577 winners in Great Britain and 161 in Ireland.
County Clare-born Fallon has also twice been banned after testing positive for banned substances and been involved in allegations for race fixing.
However, it will be his tactical genius and the strength in the saddle that he will be remembered for and he will be sorely missed in the weighing room.
In celebration of his splendid career, here are five of Coral’s Fallon rides:
Dylan Thomas (2007 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe)
Having failed a drug test, and less than 24 hours before his trial at the Old Bailey which was to result in an 18-month worldwide ban, Fallon showed that he could handle pressure off the track to get the job done on it.
He had to be at his forceful best to get Dylan Thomas home by a head form Youmzain in a pulsating and dramatic finish, and then had to endure an agonising 30 minute enquiry by local officials into interference before the result was allowed to stand.
Top Cees (1995 Chester Cup)
When the money was down there was nobody better than Fallon at getting the gamble landed. He had partnered Top Cees when an eye-catching failure at Newmarket prior to the Chester Cup and comments in the Sporting Life prompted a libel action that was fought out in a high-profile court case three years later.
Fallon won the court case and brought Top Cees with a scything run to land the Cup by a runaway five lengths.
Kris Kin (2003 Epsom Derby)
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt was the subject of a huge late plunge for the Epsom Classic and was given a vintage ride. After being pulled off the rail by Fallon, Kris Kin stormed down the centre of the track.
Picking off rivals one by one, the colt got up to score by a length. Fallon timed things to perfection, and that was to become his trademark.
Ouija Board (2005 Hong Kong Vase)
Having won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Fallon was reunited with Ed Dunlop’s star a year later to win the valuable Group 1 Hong Kong contest.
After being held-up well off the pace and only 10th turning into the straight, Ouija Board cruised into contention under a fearless Fallon and quickened through a narrow gap to win going away by 2 3/4 lengths.
Night Of Thunder (2014 2000 Guineas)
Provided Fallon with what ultimately proved to be the last Classic success of his career.
Night Of Thunder swooped late and fast under an ice cool Fallon, who somehow managed to force his head in front right on the line to defeat Kingman after the colt hung violently left across the track and almost threw away the race.
