Heffernan to ride Scorpion

Seamus Heffernan will ride the Aidan O’Brien-trained Scorpion in the Hong Kong Vase next weekend.

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.

“I can confirm that Seamus will ride Scorpion in the Hong Kong race,” O’Brien told the Racing Post.