Horseracing: Fallon leaving Stoute

Kieren Fallon is to end his stint as stable jockey to champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute, it was reported today.

The pair are to end a two-year partnership during which they have combined to win many big races, including the last two runnings of the Sagitta 2000 Guineas.

Fallon has ridden for Stoute since 2000, having left Henry Cecil the previous season. He blames pressure from owners in the Newmarket yard for latest split.

But the Irishman said: ‘‘I can confirm that there will be an announcement that I will not be riding as stable jockey to Sir Michael next year but I still expect to be riding for him he hasn’t said anything to suggest otherwise.

‘‘I feel we’ve still got a good working relationship. I don’t think there’s been a cross word between us this year.

‘‘As far as I understand it there are some owners in the stable who would prefer other riders to be on their horses but I don’t want to say anything negative about what’s happened or to comment any more about the reasons for the decision.’’

Fallon’s first season with Stoute was cut short by a shoulder injury sustained at Royal Ascot.

But he has come back as good as ever this term, winning big races on Stoute’s Dilshaan, Golan, Medicean and No Excuse Needed, and looks sure to regain the jockeys’ championship he won in each of the previous three seasons.

Kieren Fallon Factfile:

Born: Crusheen, Co Clare, February 22, 1965.

Apprenticeship: With Kevin Prendergast 1982-7 (rode 38 winners in Ireland); Jimmy FitzGerald 1988.

First winner: Picadilly Lord, Navan, June 18, 1984.

First winner in Britain: Evichstar, Thirsk, April 16, 1988.

First century: 1996.

Champion jockey: 1997, 1998, 1999.

200 winners in a year: 1997, 1998, 1999.

Seasonal totals in Britain: 1988-31, 1989-28, 1990-39, 1991-29, 1992-45, 1993-60, 1994-47, 1995-91, 1996-136, 1997-202, 1998-204, 1999-202, 2000-59, 2001-161 (to date).

Derby winner: Oath 1999.

1000 Guineas winners: Sleepytime 1997, Wince 1999.

2000 Guineas winners: Kings Best 2000, Golan 2001.

Oaks winners: Reams of Verse 1997, Ramruma 1999.

Other big winners: Ali-Royal (Sussex Stakes 1997), Bosra Sham (Prince Of Wales’s Stakes 1997), Catchascatchcan (Yorkshire Oaks 1998), Chilly Billy (Gimcrack Stakes 1994), Dazzle (1996 Cherry Hinton Stakes), Dilshaan (Dante Stakes 2001), Dr Fong (St James’s Palace Stakes 1998), Embassy (Cheveley Park Stakes 1997), Endorsement (Queen’s Vase 1999), Golan (Sagitta 2000 Guineas, 2001), Grangeville (Bunbury Cup & Ayr God Cup 1999), High Premium (Lincoln Handicap 1993), Island Magic (Solario Stakes 1993), Medicean (Lockinge, Queen Anne & Eclipse Stakes 2001), Midnight Line (Musidora Stakes 1998), No Excuse Neede (Cewlebration Mile 2001), Pythios (Britannia Stakes 1999), Royal Anthem (King Edward VII Stakes 1998), Shiva (Tattersalls Gold Cup 1999), Tomba (Prix de la Foret 1998, Top Cees (Chester Cup 1995), Tuning (Tote-Ebor 1998), Yeast (Royal Hunt Cup 1996).

Main stable: 1993-6 Lynda Ramsden.

1997-9 Henry Cecil.

2000-1 Sir Michael Stoute.

Other information: Banned for six months from September 30, 1994 to March 29, 1995 for violent or improper conduct after a clash with Stuart Webster at Beverley.

Banned for seven days at Thirsk in June 1994 for hitting fellow jockey Chris Rutter with his whip.

Lost his chance to reach 100 winners in a season for the first time in 1995 when handed an eight-day ban for irresponsible riding at Haydock.

Finished third on Borgia on his first ride in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and finished second on the same filly in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on his first ride at the Breeders’ Cup.

Suffered a serious shoulder injury in a fall at Royal Ascot in 2000 and was out of action for six months.

Missed the ride on 2001 Vodafone Derby favourite Golan after picking up a three-day ban for irresponsible riding of a minor nature at Ayr nine days earlier.