Racing: No Turkish delight for banned Fallon

LONDON - Suspended at home, British jockey Kieren Fallon's Turkish adventure ended in disappointment after his mount in the Prime Ministry Cup in Istanbul finished last yesterday.

Fallon partnered the Burak Tenezkan-trained Bors in the 2100m event but trailed home sixth of six runners. Market leader Champs To Champs emerged victorious with half a length to spare from Popular Demand.

Fallon revealed the race was lost as the three-year-old entered the stalls at Veliefendi Racecourse.

"The horse kicked a lot in the starting gate and ended up hurting himself and getting bruises to his hind legs," Fallon said.

"That was not the same horse that I've seen on video recordings before the race. But the atmosphere and course were great and it was still a good experience."

Last week the six-time champion jockey failed in a British High Court challenge to a Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) ban which prevents him riding in Britain.

Fallon, 41, was suspended by the HRA this month until the conclusion of his trial on criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud. The trial is not expected to take place until next year.

But he is still able to ride in Ireland, where he is licensed, and in other parts of the world.

Justice Nigel Davis said the ban pending his trial was not "disproportionate" and the authority had taken into account the principle that a person was innocent until proven guilty.

Barrister David Pannick, who represented Fallon, had told the judge that the decision to suspend him had "involved a false start" and should not be allowed to stand.

The decision to suspend Fallon was originally taken on July 7 and upheld by the authority's appeal board on July 14.

- REUTERS