Heffernan to ride Scorpion
Heffernan, who is already attached to the O’Brien yard, gets the nod as the Hong Kong racing authorities chose not to grant Kieren Fallon a license – prior to the six-month ban he incurred from France Galop on Wednesday.
Scorpion was last seen on a racecourse at Churchill Downs earlier this month when he finished fifth to Red Rocks in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. His defining moment to date was when he won the St Leger under Frankie Dettori last September.
Meanwhile, Richard Hughes, retained jockey to Prince Khalid Abdullah, has lost the rides on the owner’s horses trained by Michael Stoute.
Hughes’s performance on Home Affairs, a close third in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom in June, is believed to be one of the reasons for the champion trainer’s decision.
“It is disappointing but Michael had his own jockey if you turn the clock back two years in Kieren Fallon and he rode all of Prince Khalid’s horses then,” said Hughes’s agent Geoff Lester.
“It’s only since Kieren left Freemason Lodge that Michael has used Richard. It’s his prerogative to use who he wants.
“It is disappointing though especially about Spanish Moon who could be a Derby horse.
“It’s not the end of the world. He’s still got plenty of good trainers to ride for.
