Weeks of intense speculation ended Friday when Kieren Fallon was confirmed as
the new stable jockey at Ballydoyle. Despite the six-time British champion
jockey denying rumors that he was due to replace Jamie Spencer as the number one
rider at the County Tipperary base, his appointment was confirmed in a Coolmore
press release.
Fallon will give up his post as retained jockey at Sir Michael Stoute’s
Freemason Lodge yard, which he has held since 1999. He will also have first call
on all Magnier, Tabor and Smith-owned horses trained at other establishments,
while his association with last year’s Vodafone Oaks (Eng-G1), Irish Oaks (G1)
and Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) heroine Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross
[Ire]) has yet to
be confirmed.