O’Brien issues robust defence of banned Fallon

KIEREN FALLON has received the full backing of trainer Aidan O’Brien after losing his appeal against a British riding ban imposed by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.

On the same day the HRA appeal board released their reasons for dismissing Fallon’s appeal, O’Brien gave an impassioned defence of his stable jockey.

Fallon is unable to ride in Britain after being charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race-fixing but he is still able to ride in his native Ireland, where he is licensed by the Irish Turf Club.