This article is from page 104 of the 2008-01-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 104 JPG
THERE have been obituaries aplen- ty, but Kieren Fallon has vowed to re- turn to racing despite being handed down a worldwide ban of 18 months by French racing’s regulatory author- ity, Galop.
And the controversial but gifted Ballinruan man has looked to fellow legend Lester Piggott for inspiration as he faces into a suspension that will keep off the track until August 2009.
A defiant Fallon spoke about his fu- ture in the sport after his 18-month suspension for failing a dope test at DISFUAS UN CoM EO UEAU MeO NNER MSELere by France Galop.
“It’s just a little setback,” he said. “It’s not a tragedy. Far from it. There’s no doubt [ll bounce back.
It’s very silly of people to talk of re- tirement. I’m young at heart and have many years left. I’ use the duration of the ban to get back on track, and when I do come back I’l! be stronger, both mentally and physically.”
“Jerry Bailey’s career didn’t take off until he was 40, and some of the best American jockeys have come back from drugs bans to compete – and win – at the highest level.
“In Britain, Lester Piggott returned to win a Breeders’ Cup at the age of 54. ’’m 42 – but I don’t feel it. I don’t have many miles on the clock – I’ve been riding good horses for the past 10 years – and I can ride until I am mae
Ironically, Piggott’s comeback was prompted by then Ballydoyle maes- tro, Vincent O’Brien who coaxed
him out or retirement after he served a jail sentence in England for tax evasion.
Now, current bearer of the flame in Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien and his paymasters, Coolmore Stud, are re- maining tight lipped on Fallon’s fu- ture as stable jockey.
“This is a personal matter for Ki- eren and for us there is no change. We will continue to use the best available on the day, as before,” Coolmore spokesman Richard Hen- ry revealed after the suspension was handed down.
In December, Fallon was cleared of race-fixing charges that had stopped him racing for 17 months in Britain after a judge threw out the case for lack of evidence. Now, Fallon has spoken for the first time on the ordeal
Omit elem eclebecmser-le
‘From the very first day after my arrest, the three years leading up to the trial were a nightmare for me. But when you consider that my life has been effectively been on hold since September 2004, I’m sure I can get through another 18 months, and hopefully I can turn it around.”