Horse racing: Fallon delight at Medicean tonic

Kieren Fallon was back where he belonged as Royal Ascot got under way - in the winner's enclosure.

Twelve months ago Fallon was injured in a sickening fall in the final race on the second day.

The injuries to his left shoulder, which at one point were considered close to him losing the use of the arm, meant he was unable to ride for the rest of that season.

But he wasted no time re-acquainting himself with the Royal Ascot unsaddling enclosure, winning the first race of the meeting, the Group Two Queen Anne Stakes on Medicean, trained by his boss, Sir Michael Stoute.

"I am back again," Fallon said. "They said to me after the injury that it would be a year to 18 months before I was back riding. But when you have to do it, you make the effort. I was lucky enough to go to Barbados and then to Dubai, which all helped."

Medicean, who was carrying a 5lb penalty for his success in the Group One Lockinge Stakes, made his task harder by being outpaced in the early stages.

However, he came back on the bridle approaching the three-furlong marker and then was presented with a gilt-edged opening against the stands' rail approaching the final 250 yards.

Medicean gained a decisive advantage and held Swallow Flight and Arkadian Hero by a length and a neck.

"I got lucky," said Fallon. "He was lazy early on and so I switched him over to the fence. Johnny Murtagh's horse just hung off the rails and made it so easy for Medicean.

Medicean could now return to Group One company in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in August and Stoute is keen to again try him over a mile and a quarter. The colt's one previous effort at the trip, in last season's John Smith's Cup proved inconclusive, thanks to a high draw.

Stoute said: "I've always felt he'd get a mile and a quarter. He's in the Eclipse but that's doubtful. He isn't in the Juddmonte International yet, but he will be."