Kieren Fallon has broken his silence over his sacking last week as stable jockey to the powerful Henry Cecil yard. The split followed allegations in a Sunday newspaper that the trainer's second wife, Natalie, had had a relationship with a "top jockey".

A statement issued to by his solicitors yesterday read: "Mr Fallon has been very much saddened by the recent termination of his successful partnership with Mr Henry Cecil. Mr Fallon has not been directly informed by Mr Cecil that he has been dismissed, nor has he given any reason for his dismissal. He is unaware of any possible reason for his dismissal.

"Mr Fallon has done his job to the best of his ability throughout the period of his retainer and as a consequence, particularly during the course of this season, the stable has been extremely successful.

"Mr Fallon understands that Mrs Cecil has recently been quoted in the national press to the effect that she has had a relationship with a top jockey. For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Fallon would like to make it clear that he is not the top jockey involved."

Fallon's sacking brought to an end one of the most successful partnerships in racing. The 34-year-old Clare-born jockey was initially apprenticed to Jimmy Fitzgerald in 1982, with whom he rode 38 winners. He was attached to the controversial Ramsden yard between 1993 and '96 and joined Cecil in '97.

The association survived a major early hiccup when Fallon was criticised for an ill-judged ride on Bosra Sham in the 1997 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. However, Fallon and Cecil teamed up to record 10 Group One wins including Classic wins on Sleepytime, Reams Of Verse, Wince, Ramruma and Oath.

Richard Quinn, currently in second place in this year's jockeys' championship, is set to replace Fallon as stable jockey at Warren Place next year.