Kieran Fallon Set to Fight Guineas Ban

After being handed a ten day ban for not riding to the line by Kempton stewards, Kieran Fallon looks set to miss the opening classic of the season as the ban rules him out of the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas. Fallon had been piloting Sukhothai (Maria’s Mon) and appeared to ease her up towards the finish, subsequently resulting in him being mugged on the line and placing third.

Stewards had declared that Fallon had not ridden in an appropriate manner and effectively banned him April 27-May 6.

BHA representative Paul Struthers clarified the reasoning behind the ban by declaring “the stewards asked Kieran Fallon to explain why he appeared to drop his hands shortly before the winning post… the stewards found Fallon to be in breach of Rule (B)59.3.2.1, in that he failed to ride out on a horse that would have finished second.”

Fallon plans to appeal the ban but did not seem particularly enthused about his chances for success. Speaking to the Racing Post he stated, “I’m going to appeal, I’ve got to haven’t I? I’m not going down without a fighting but I think I’m fighting a losing battle.”

The penalty must come at an especially tough time for Fallon as he would likely have been offered the mount on recent Craven Stakes winner Native Khan (Azamour) should he be declared for the 2,000 Guineas.