Kieren Fallon’s problems continued Wednesday after it was announced the
jockey is set to serve a six-month suspension, ordered by stewards of France-Galop,
after testing positive to “traces” of a yet-to-be disclosed prohibited
substance.
The jockey was found to have fallen foul of the French Racing Authority’s
stringent procedures when both A and B samples failed a random test after the
jockey rode Ivan Denisovich (Ire) (Danehill) to an eighth in the July 9 Prix
Jean Prat (Fr-G1) at Chantilly. Dr. Michael Lewis, the disciplinary hearing’s
expert witness, indicated an exceedingly low quantity of the banned substance
may have arisen due to “environmental contact.”
The jockey has until midnight Friday to appeal the ban, due to commence on
December 7, but is not expected to do so.
“Only trace levels were detected and these are considerably lower than
generally accepted thresholds for positive results,” Fallon’s solicitor
Christopher Stewart-Moore told PA Sport. “Kieren is dismayed at this turn of
events, but understands that as it is a strict liability offence, France Galop
has no alternative but to impose a suspension.”
Confirming the ban will almost certainly be enforced worldwide, Denis Egan,
Chief Executive of the Irish Turf Club, said.
“Ireland is signatory to the international agreement which states that if we
are requested, by a foreign authority, to reciprocate a ban then we are expected
to reciprocate that ban,” he said. “It is a matter for the (Turf Club’s)
stewards, but my understanding is the ban will be reciprocated. My belief is
that he will be ruled out of riding everywhere.”