Champion Rider Fallon Enjoying Del Mar Stint

 

Before Friday Kieren Fallon, a six-time British riding champion widely considered the greatest “flat” jockey of his generation and one of the greatest ever, had never been to Del Mar.

 

But, after his first ride here the 49-year-old took a spot near a table in the jockeys’ room dining area and, with the lilt and brogue of his native County Clare, Ireland, declared how he really liked the place. 

 

"There's no place like it, anywhere in the world,” Fallon said.  “It's just lovely. The facilities and everything here for the jockeys is first rate.”

 

Fallon knows about  tracks around the world. His record shows major stakes victories by the score in England, Ireland and France and assorted others in 10 or more other countries. The 2005 Arlington Million, aboard Powerscout, and Breeders’ Cup wins with  Islington in 2003 and Ouija Board in 2004 are among his major stakes scores in the U.S.

 

At various times he  served as the stable rider for venerated European trainers Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute and Aiden O’Brien.

 

Why is he here? He just kind of wanted to see the place and, since Del Mar had a fall meeting …

 

"I've always just gone home (after the Breeders' Cup) but I've wanted to see more of California,” Fallon said.  “Del Mar is just beautiful and hopefully I'll be riding some winners. The thought is to stay for the whole meeting."

 

Brad Pegram, who also serves as agent for Mike Smith, is lining some up for  Fallon.

 

"It's not going to be easy. It's going to be the toughest place in the world to win,” Fallon said. “The best jockeys are here. But if you're going to improve, you want to ride against the best. If anything, I'll improve my riding from being here with them. I figure this is a window of opportunity and if I don't do it now, it'll be too late."

 

Source: Hank Wesch/Del Mar Communications