Racing:Kieren Fallon will miss the Guineas meeting at Newmarket later this month — despite being partially successful in his appeal against a 10-day riding suspension. The jockey was originally sidelined between April 27th-May 6th after the local stewards found him guilty of not riding out to the winning line aboard Sukhothai in a handicap at Kempton on April 13th.
Fallon had his appeal heard at British Horseracing Authority headquarters this morning and although the disciplinary panel downgraded his suspension from 10 days to seven, he will be banned from April 27th-May 3rd.
The news confirms Fallon misses the ride on Ed Dunlop’s big Qipco 2000 Guineas hope Native Khan, whom he guided to an impressive comeback victory in the Craven Stakes.
Fallon’s lawyer Rory MacNeice was disappointed the suspension was only partly upheld, but feels the fact the ban was reduced justifies Fallon’s decision to challenge the suspension, and it does allow him to ride at the three days of the Chester Cup meeting.
“I haven’t been able to speak to Kieren as he left before the decision was made to take up his rides at Folkestone, but personally, I’m disappointed we didn’t get the entirety of the suspension lifted,” said MacNeice. “But clearly, the three days they have taken off demonstrates Kieren was right to ask the panel to review it.
“It also allows him to ride at Chester, which is great, but nevertheless, he will be unable to ride in the Guineas.”
Dunlop paraded Native Khan at La Grange Stables today and believes the grey has taken another step forward since his victory in the Craven, although riding plans remain undecided.
“No decision about the jockey will be made until I’ve had a discussion with the owner about what he wants to do,” Dunlop said. “The owner requested Kieren and if we can’t have him, then we will find someone else.”