Kieren Fallon's Biography

Born on 22 February 1965, the son of a plasterer, in Crusheen, Co Clare, Ireland, Kieren Fallon has been Champion Jockey (on the flat) six times (1997-1999, 2001-2003).

In 1984, Kieren Fallon rode his first winner, Picadilly Lord, at Navan. Four years later he rode his first winner racing in Britain, Evichstar, at Thirsk.

Fallon was apprenticed to Kevin Prendergast (1982-7) in Ireland and then moved to Jimmy FitzGerald's yard.

According to Graham Bradley's autobiography 'The Wayward Lad': "Jimmy was an absolute gentleman ... he was also the man who harnessed the fiery talent of Kieren Fallon."

In 1993, Fallon started riding for Lynda Ramsden until, in 1997, he was appointed stable jockey to Henry Cecil.

The BBC's article Kieren Fallon's roller-coaster ride alludes to the parting of the ways between Fallon and Cecil.

After their split, Fallon rode principally for Sir Michael Stoute.

However, in February 2005, Ballydoyle made the shock announcement that it had hired Kieren Fallon as its stable jockey.

Reportedly Kieren Fallon's three year deal with Ballydoyle was worth four times his retainer with Stoute. Fallon said, "The hardest part was ringing Stoutey. He knew what was coming and told me he would have appreciated knowing far sooner."

Nevertheless, after he had been given an 18 month riding ban, in February 2008 Kieren Fallon announced that he was returning to Michael Stoute's yard to ride out.

On 4 September 2009, Kieren Fallon rode in Britain for the first time since 2006, returning after a trial into alleged race-fixing, in which he was cleared, and an 18-month drugs ban.

In December 2009, Inside Sport conducted an interesting interview with Kieren Fallon.

In May 2016, the BBC reported that Kieren Fallon, aged 51, was due to ride Across The Stars for Sir Michael Stoute in the Derby at Epsom.

Fallon was back in Britain after a stint in the United States.

However, in July 2016, it was revealed that Kieren Fallon was retiring from racing because of "profound depression".