Fallon Given The French Treatment.

scojones

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/6157167.stm wrote:

Fallon banned after positive test
Kieren Fallon
Fallon has had a turbulent year in 2006
French racing authority France Galop have suspended jockey Kieren Fallon for six months after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

The 41-year-old six-times champion jockey tested positive for a metabolite of a banned substance.

The ban, which is likely to be applied worldwide, is to begin on 7 December.

Fallon is currently banned from riding in Britain after being charged with charged with conspiracy to defraud by the City of London Police.

The ban results from a sample given by the Irishman when he rode Ivan Denisovich in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on 9 July and is likely to be reciprocated internationally.

"We were informed by France Galop this afternoon that Kieren had tested positive for a prohibited substance," said Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Turf Club.

"The stewards need to meet first but I would imagine he will be banned from riding in Ireland as well.


Fallon has the right to appeal but both A and B samples tested positive

France Galop spokesman Henri Pouret

"The international jurisdictions sign up to an agreement that if something as straightforward as this happens, we follow their decision.

"As both ourselves and France Galop are signed up to the agreement it seems likely he will be banned from riding in Ireland."

Fallon would be ruled out of the first part of the Classic season but should be free to ride in the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas at the end of May.

The quantity of metabolite found was described as "exceedingly low" by expert witness, Dr Michael Lewis, who admitted that there was a possibility that the test result arose solely as a consequence of environmental contact.

Fallon's solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said: "Over the course of his long riding career, Kieren Fallon has been tested by authorities all over the world and the results have always been negative.

"In this case, only trace levels were detected and these are considerably lower than generally accepted thresholds for positive results.

"Kieren is dismayed at this turn of events but understands that as it is a strict liability offence, France Galop has no alternative but to impose a suspension."

France Galop spokesman Henri Pouret said "Fallon has the right to appeal but both A and B samples tested positive."

This latest setback throw the Irishman's future in the saddle into further doubt.

Fallon has previously said he will quit racing if he cannot clear his name of race-fixing allegations

Similar story also on the racing post's website.

Tush

Can see this great Jockey retiring sooner rather than later sj,he is certainly going through the mill of late.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

Colonel Sanders

Tush wrote:

Can see this great Jockey retiring sooner rather than later sj,he is certainly going through the mill of late.

Definately the end of his association with coolmore and possibly the end of his career.

scojones

Colonel Sanders wrote:

Definately the end of his association with coolmore and possibly the end of his career.

Aye it's definitely looking that way. Both samples he gave were positive and the French are adamant that he doesn't have a leg to stand on. Will be interesting to see what he does. I wonder if ATR will have an interview with him over this.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

Robin1982

Although it may be a longshot, an American jockey perhaps - Garrett Gomez?

Apparantly the levels found be minuscule, but as French racing rules state, any amount found leads to an automatic ban with little hope of appeal. The Turf Club will have to support this ban also, so unless Fallon decides to ride in South Africa, his career is as good as over.

easytiger!

Not really surprising news given Fallon's turbulent history, the week after the English ban took force he went to Turkey for a race and put up overweight which indicated his focus wasn't where it should be. As for the successor, I think the 10's Powers are offering on McDonogh being first choice on July 1st '07 looks attractive.