Fallon takes over the reins at Ballydoyle
His appointment comes on the back of weeks of intense speculation following the shock resignation of Jamie Spencer, who quit his post with Aidan O’Brien earlier this month after just one season in the hot seat.
Confirming the new appointment, a Coolmore press release said: “Owners John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are delighted to announce that Kieren Fallon will be the retained jockey for the horses at Ballydoyle and elsewhere for the 2005 season.”
It is understood that Fallon will not only ride the O’Brien-trained horses at Ballydoyle, but will also have first call on horses owned by Magnier, Tabor and Smith but trained elsewhere.
The announcement brings an end to his partnership with Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute, for whom he has been stable jockey since 1999.
It is not yet clear whether Fallon would be able to maintain his link with the Ed Dunlop-trained Ouija Board, whom he guided to success in the English and Irish Oaks last summer as well as the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
It also puts his link with Michael Bell’s Derby hope Motivator in serious doubt.
The six-times champion, who turned 40 on Tuesday, is still on bail from the City Of London Police as they continue an investigation into alleged race-fixing.
Fallon, who has not been charged with any offence, is due to appear at a police station in April.
He has been riding in the United States this winter, based at Gulfstream Park in Florida, and had stated his intention of staying there until March or even April. However, he returned to Britain on Monday. Only recently he had said how “committed” he was to his job with Stoute and had expressed high hopes for his association with Ouija Board and Motivator for the 2005 season.
The Ballydoyle job became available after Spencer resigned on February 6.
