Fallon: My living hell

Champion jockey Kieren Fallon has spoken out in the wake of the controversial defeat of Ballinger Ridge at Lingfield on Tuesday.

He told the Daily Mirror of his “living hell” after being caught in the shadow of the post by favourite Rye in the betdirect.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

He had been 10 lengths clear turning for home on the Andrew Balding-trained gelding and still held a clear advantage approaching the final furlong.

But he began to take things easy and only started riding vigorously again as he caught sight of Rye closing.

That proved in vain, though, as Rye got up to win by a short head and Fallon returned to a hail of criticism.

“I’m very sorry for what happened on Ballinger Ridge and I apologise to punters who backed the horse,” he said.

“The last 48 hours have been a living hell for me – I’ve been getting it in the neck from all sides, but no one feels worse about the whole thing than I do.

“I hope everyone knows I have been setting myself high standards – you don’t win six jockeys’ titles by accident.

“I like to think I am my own sternest critic and I know the ride I gave Ballinger Ridge was a long way from being my finest.”

Fallon faces a 21-day ban for dropping his hands, but the race was referred on to the Jockey Club as unusual betting patterns were reported by exchange firm Betfair and a date for the hearing has yet to be announced.

Fallon added: “I don’t want to prejudge it.

“I read in the newspapers that there were suspicious betting patterns before the ride, but I can assure anyone who thinks I’m linked up with that sort of thing that they are barking up the wrong tree.

“I think punters will appreciate I want to win more than they do and I would hope that people who follow me show more of a profit than a loss.

“I know this won’t be much of a consolation but jockeys are human and human beings make mistakes.

“The person who never made a mistake never made anything and I try to make as few mistakes as I possibly can.”