No Turkish delight for Fallon

Kieren Fallon’s Turkish adventure ended in disappointment after his mount in the Prime Ministry Cup at Veliefendi Racecourse finished last.

Fallon partnered the Burak Tenezkan-trained Bors in the 10-and-a-half-furlong event but trailed home sixth of six runners.

Market leader Champs To Champs emerged victorious with half a length to spare from Popular Demand. Third-placed Kaneko finished a further half a length in arrears.

Fallon revealed the race was lost as the three-year-old entered the stalls in Istanbul.

“The horse kicked a lot in the starting gate and ended up hurting himself and getting bruises to his hind legs,” said the Irish rider.

“That was not the same horse that I’ve seen on video recordings before the race.

“He was very smooth in the beginning but didn’t want to accelerate when I asked him to.

“But the atmosphere and course were great – it was still a good experience.”

The six-times champion jockey failed on Friday in a High Court challenge to a Horseracing Regulatory Authority ban which prevents him riding in Britain.

Fallon, 41, was suspended by the HRA earlier this month until the conclusion of his trial on criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud.

But he is still able to ride in Ireland, where he is licensed, and will be in action at the Galway Festival tomorrow evening.

He has three booked rides, two for Aidan O’Brien and one for Ger Lyons, with his best chance likely to be Chivalrous in the GPT Access Equipment EBF Maiden.