Fill yer boots
CIEREN: DAD’S WAY TO DO IT
THEY are big shoes to fill but Cieren Fallon is well on the way to emulating his famous father.
Son of six-times champion jockey Kieren, the natural path was always for the youngster to take to the saddle. But riding was never his ultimate goal – football, rugby and running occupied his time growing up in Wigan.
He became a personal trainer but quit to give the horses a go at the British Racing School.
He said: “Racing never interested me until I looked at the pictures on the walls of Dad and my friend David Egan (also a jockey) on Facebook. “I woke up one day and knew it was what I was going to do.” Two years ago this week Cieren gained his jockey’s licence and last Saturday his journey on the road to stardom took a giant leap when he won his first Group One on Oxted in Newmarket’s Darley July Cup, part of the QIPCO British Champions Series. He did it aged just 21. It took his dad 10 years to ride his first Group One winner.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it. It was all such a shock. We thought Oxted would improve for his last run as he was only 80 per cent fit. “I knew Frankie Dettori was looking for a tow into the race on Sceptical and I could see the favourite Golden Horde in the corner of my eye.
“As I came across towards the rail I knew he would have to switch out wide to challenge. “I thought I
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON: Kieren and Cieren Fallon back as he lost his way last spring.”
Haggas was earlier on the mark with My Oberon, the mount of Tom Marquand, in the William Hill Stakes.
TRAINER Ger Lyons and jockey Colin Keane added to their success in Irish 2,000 Guineas with Siskin when 10-1 shot Even So landed last night’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
Cayenne Pepper, sent off the 2-1 favourite, finished second with Passion taking third place. had them covered from a little way out. He’s only four and we have an exciting sprinter on our hands.”
Fallon’s fitness background gave him the knowhow to slim from 9st 6lb to his racing weight of just over eight stone.
After racing school, he joined trainer William Haggas and hit the headlines with a win in only his third-ever race.
He was crowned champion apprentice at Ascot last year and has taken up opportunities in America and Italy.
“In a short space of time, I’m lucky to be in the position I’m in,” he said.
“It has been a surprise. It’s important to be mentally and physically fit as well as being surrounded by the right people.
“You have to eat right to power your engine and get on the right horses.
“I always wanted to win a Group race win this season so that’s that box ticked.”
Not only does he enjoy winning races but he appreciates every horse as an athlete, just like his days with the gym-goers.
So what was it that really got him hooked?
“Going quick on horses, the adrenaline and the nature of each of them,” he said.
“They’re all different and like a puzzle to work out.
“You get happiness from sitting on them – they are the most amazing animals.
“The things they can do for a 500kg animal, the way they move and perform fascinates me.
“Waking up in the morning knowing you are going to be around them gives you a real buzz.”