Appeal Court rules Fallon out of Investec Derby

Fallon and Recital after their Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial victory last month.  Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com.

Kieren Fallon will be forced to watch this afternoon’s Investec Derby from the jockeys’ room at Epsom after the Appeal Court judges decided that he should not be allowed to ride the strongly fancied Recital for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the second Middle Distance race in the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The legal action had been taken by Ibrahim Araci, owner of Native Khan, the colt that finished third in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month and that Fallon had agreed to ride in the Investec Derby until he switched to Recital earlier this week. 

It is a big blow to Fallon to miss the ride on Recital, whom he described as being the ideal Derby horse after he partnered him to victory in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial in Ireland last month.  Fellow Irish jockey Pat Smullen will now take the ride.

Graeme McPherson QC, representing Fallon, said: "He’s very disappointed but he wishes the connections of Native Khan, Recital and Pat Smullen the best of luck in the race and will be watching closely from the changing room."

To view the Investec Derby race page, CLICK HERE.