Kieren Francis Fallon, born on 22 February 1965 in Crusheen, County Clare, secured his reputation as a professional flat racing jockey through six British Champion Jockey titles. His career, marked by high-profile victories and significant disciplinary challenges, spanned over two decades before his formal retirement from the sport in 2016.
Tenure with Henry Cecil
Fallon became the stable jockey for Henry Cecil in 1997. That year, he captured his first Classic win at the 1000 Guineas on Sleepytime. Despite an early disciplinary record involving a ten-day ban for his performance in Italy, Fallon successfully requested a delay to the suspension, allowing him to win The Oaks on Reams of Verse. He finished his inaugural season with the Cecil stable by accumulating 202 wins and securing his first Champion Jockey title. He retained the championship for the following two years, achieving over 200 wins in each season and winning the 1999 Derby on Oath and The Oaks on Ramruma before his departure from the yard.
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Following a period as a freelancer, Fallon joined the stable of Sir Michael Stoute. He recorded notable successes, including consecutive 2000 Guineas wins on King's Best and Golan. His momentum was interrupted in June 2000 by a severe arm injury sustained in a fall at Royal Ascot. Although he left the Stoute stable in November 2001, he maintained a successful association with the trainer, winning the 2003 Derby on Kris Kin and the 2004 Derby on North Light.
Legal Proceedings and Ballydoyle
In 2005, Fallon became the first jockey for Aidan O'Brien’s Ballydoyle stable, immediately winning the 2000 Guineas on Footstepsinthesand. His time there was complicated by external investigations; in 2004, he was arrested regarding race-fixing allegations, though the Jockey Club later discontinued its investigation. In 2006, he faced charges for conspiracy to defraud Betfair. The trial at the Old Bailey concluded on 7 December 2007, when a judge directed the jury to acquit Fallon due to insufficient evidence. During this period, he also served suspensions for testing positive for prohibited substances in France during 2006 and 2007.
Later Career and Retirement
After returning to race riding in September 2009 at Lingfield Park, Fallon operated as a freelance jockey. He rode 140 winners in 2010 and 154 in 2011, finishing third in the Jockeys' Championship. In 2014, he achieved his first Classic win in eight years by guiding Night of Thunder to victory in the 2000 Guineas. Fallon retired from racing in July 2016, citing a diagnosis of depression, and subsequently released his autobiography, Form, in 2017.
Fast facts
- Born: 22 February 1965, Crusheen, County Clare
- Primary Occupation: Professional flat racing jockey
- Champion Jockey Titles: Six
- Retirement Date: July 2016
- Autobiography: Form, published 2017
- Children: Natalie, Brittany, and Cieren Fallon
Questions readers ask
How many times did Kieren Fallon win the British Champion Jockey title?
He won the British Champion Jockey title six times.
When did Kieren Fallon retire from racing?
He announced his retirement from racing in July 2016.
