Ian Balding has secured second claim for Kieren Fallon's services next year. Fallon, the reigning champion jockey, is number one jockey for Henry Cecil but has signed an agreement to ride for Balding when his services are not needed by his main employer.
In addition, up-and-coming apprentice Adrian Nicholls will be moving to Balding's Kingsclere base.
The son of trainer David Nicholls, Adrian was attached to Barry Hills' yard last season.
Andrew Balding has joined his father as assistant trainer after two seasons with Jack and Lynda Ramsden, who retired from training last month.
And amateur jockey Chris Bonner is also teaming up with Balding as travelling head lad.
One reason for Balding's approach to Fallon was the lack of opportunity to use former champion Frankie Dettori who, over the seasons, has booted home many of Balding's inmates including speed stars Lochsong and Lochangel.
"We've always used Frankie Dettori in the past when available but, frankly, he's becoming more and more unavailable," said the Kingsclere trainer.
"We've signed an agreement with Kieren that when he is not required by Henry Cecil we will have first choice on him.
"Henry rarely introduces his two-year-old's until midway through the season. Hopefully our two-year-old's will be ready early in the year and we can have some success with them.
"There are also a lot of handicaps where Henry isn't involved when we can use Kieren."
Balding also talked about his admiration for Nicholls and the youngster has already benefited from joining the trainer's jockey strength with an extended stay in America.
Nicholls won a working holiday in America as a prize for becoming last season's leading apprentice at Pontefract.
However, his vacation is being extended by two weeks thanks to Balding. "I've admired his style a lot and we made the way clear for him to join us from Barry's," Balding added.
"He will spend an extra fortnight in America and we have made arrangements for him to ride in California. He will then join us at the beginning of February."
