SUPER OXTED STEALS GLORY
Cieren and Roger land Group success
CIEREN FALLON, son of former six-times champion jockey Kieren, showed that he is very much a chip off the old block after celebrating his first Group One success with Oxted in the Darley July Cup.
Fallon, 21, last year’s champion apprentice, given only his second ride in a Group One contest by winning trainer Roger Teal, said: “I’m speechless.
“I was just a passenger on a very good horse.
“I simply can’t believe I’m a Group One-winning jockey while still an apprentice, never mind at such a young age.
“I owe Roger Teal so much for keeping faith with me.”
Fallon, who was watched by his father, added: “There was a bit of pressure but I had spoken to my dad beforehand, my jockey coach Michael Tebbutt and my boss William Haggas, so I’m very lucky to have the support around me.
“Dad just told me to jump out in a straight line and kick going into the dip and then see what’s underneath me. What a horse.
“I’ve already got a picture at home of Oxted and me winning the Abernant Stakes – now I’ll have to get a bigger one of us winning the July Cup.”
His proud father, six times the champion jockey, said: “He’s just got it – I know he’s got it.
“He’s got so much confidence – I wish I had half his confidence when I was riding.”
Not only was it a breakthrough victory for Fallon but also for Teal (below) who is not exactly flushed with owners that have limitless pockets.
It was the Lambourn trainer’s first Group One success too. “It’s unbelievable,” said Teal. “My son Harry has done a fantastic job and he said last week that this horse would win the July Cup.
“We did believe, although we knew what we were up against it.
“But Cieren rode a peach – he’s such a cool little dude.
“I think he’s got a very bright future ahead of him.”
Young Fallon has the bragging rights over his father as he failed to win the July Cup, just like Frankie Dettori who had to settle for second place on Sceptical.
Golden Horde, sent off the 2-1 favourite, was unsuited by the soft ground and finished third.
Oxted, nicknamed Fenton after the dog that his owner could not catch when running loose in Richmond Park, was also not for catching at Newmarket yesterday.