Kieren Fallon, six-times Champion Jockey, returns to race-riding next week after serving an eighteen months suspension for cocaine abuse; prior to that the 44-year-old Irishman spent several weeks in the Old Bailey court (again!)* charged with a number of misdemeanours that couldn’t be proved, the case(s) thrown out!
Those alongside him ‘in the dock’ have been dealt with by the British Horse-racing Authority, Fergal Lynch is now in America (where he’s banned from Philadelphi Park!), Darren Williams is no longer on the scene, following suspension, and Middleham trainer, Karl Burke, had his license revoked recently for a period of twelve months. The BHA established what the police couldn’t when tracing more than 200 phone calls to a warned off individual on a latent mobile phone service.
The furore surrounding this ‘return’ is similar to that accorded Lester Piggott nigh on twenty years ago after the eleven-times champion came back after serving a three-years prison sentence for tax evasion! That day, at Leicester races, smacked of a ‘home-coming’ given to Lord Nelson, Napoleon Bonaparte and doubtless, Julius Caesar, to name but a few!
We forgive, we forget but the same-type hypocrites who slated Fallon and Piggott initially will be now be in the ‘ALC Club’ which has a strong membership!
My thoughts? In these days of rapidly-declining standards when the Lockerbie bomber can be feted on return to Libya, a one-time escaped train-robber is finally forgiven/released (the Home Secretary criticised for delaying process, because he did NOT forget!) and star soccer players blatantly ‘cheat’ (on TV!) in pursuit of ‘victory’ at any costs, what the heck.
According to ‘law’ it can be argued Fallon has served ‘a sentence’ and is legally entitled to ply his trade; he was a ’special’ talent and will be much sought after but whether he will be accepted, in anything like the same way, remains to be seen during the next eight wonderful weeks of this 2009 turf-flat season.
That includes a clutch of ‘Festival’ fixtures at Doncaster, Newmarket and Ascot; hopefully my own successful run continues and it’s possible to land the Naps Table Championship for an eighth time.
It will be tough but never forget, ‘the harder you work, the luckier you become!’
Excellent examples are Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes now, ironically, banned for eight and sixteen days respectively; leaving the way open for ‘the return, of Fallon!’
Thankfully Hayley Turner has also returned, is riding superbly and gets an outstanding ‘listed race’ opportunity at Goodwood today when Leceille is one of sixteen ‘decs’ for the £40000 Filles’ Handicap over ten furlongs.
A tricky course but Hayley is getting more experienced as she continually does the rounds; Leceille romped home with her over a similar distance at Nottingham sixteen days ago, there was plenty left in the tank and William Haggas’ charge is certainly good enough to rate a serious betting prospect. an improving three-year-old filly, at this time of year…!
Selections, Goodwood, 2.45 Leceille (e.w); Yarmouth, 2.20 Battlemaiden (nap); Beverley, 2.35 Sulwaan.
*Kieren also made a winning debut at Old Bailey some years back when the Top Cees case conclusion saw him and The Ramsdens’ exonerated.