McKay targets Fallon for trainer job

Owner Willie McKay would be “delighted” to give Kieren Fallon the opportunity of embarking upon a new career as a trainer.

McKay has advertised for a handler to take over the lease at Martin Grange Stables near Doncaster as current incumbent Danny Murphy’s contract expires today.

While Fallon does not yet hold a trainer’s licence, McKay told the Daily Mail: “I don’t think someone like Kieren Fallon should take a back seat in anyone else’s operation.

“He has enough image to be his own man. He has a million people calling him offering support. He is a genius with horses and it would be a tragedy if he wasn’t given a second chance.”

Jockey Fallon was last Friday banned for 18 months after failing a drugs test for a second time in France last summer.

His position as number-one rider to the Coolmore operation was also given to Johnny Murtagh on Tuesday.

“There are plenty of ways this could be sorted,” added McKay.

“We could employ someone with a trainer’s licence while Kieren gets his own. I would be delighted to lease my yard to him if that’s what he wants – I have plenty of backroom staff.”

Fallon, who visited McKay’s yard on Monday, is awaiting an appeal hearing against the worldwide riding ban he received after testing positive for a banned substance at Deauville in August 2007.