Fallon to miss out on Breeders Cup

Racing : Kieren Fallon will miss the Breeders' Cup meeting at Churchill Downs after his legal team announced that he will not…

Racing: Kieren Fallon will miss the Breeders' Cup meeting at Churchill Downs after his legal team announced that he will not proceed with his application to ride in the United States.

The six-times champion was charged with conspiracy to defraud in July following a long-running City of London Police investigation and was subsequently banned from riding in Britain by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.

He is, however, allowed to ride in Ireland where he is licensed, as well as France and elsewhere, with the HRA not having asked other jurisdictions to reciprocate the ban.

Fallon strenuously denies the charges brought against him and had been contesting the decision of the Illinois stewards who recently denied him the opportunity of riding in the Arlington Million.

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Officials in Kentucky were due to meet last month to decide on Fallon's participation at Churchill Downs on October 28th, but a decision was put back as lawyers for the rider indicated they would seek to overturn the decision of the Illinois authority.

Christopher Stewart-Moore of Ralph Davis Solicitors said in a statement: "Kieren Fallon has decided not to proceed with his application for a licence to ride in the United States at this time as there is a great deal of uncertainty around obtaining a licence in time for the Breeders' Cup, to be held in Kentucky.

"Kieren feels this situation is untenable and unfair to Aidan O'Brien who needs certainty in his arrangements for the Breeders' Cup. He has regretfully made his decision known to the trainer and owners involved and hopes they will enjoy a successful campaign."