Cheers for Fallon as he returns with a winner
Kieren Fallon made a triumphant return to racing at Tipperary last night when he won on his first ride back. He galvanised The Bogberry to victory in the opening EBF Maiden race for two-year-olds.
Banned from riding for six months after testing positive for cocaine at Chantilly, north of Paris, in July last year, Fallon returned with all his old zest.
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Return of the king: Kieren Fallon boots home Bogberry, a winner on his first ride since his drug ban ended
He rode for his life as The Bogberry got caught behind four horses and had to make up five lengths in the final furlong to take the spoils by a neck from Rainbow Crossing in the shadow of the winning post.
He had received a tumultuous welcome from the 2,500-strong crowd as he entered the parade ring and an even bigger reception after unsaddling the successful 4-7 favourite, who is owned by Mrs Evie Stockwell, the mother of his Coolmore boss John Magnier.
The ban came into effect on December 7 and last night was Fallon's first racetrack appearance since partnering the unplaced Yeats in the Melbourne Cup on November 7.
Looking fit and ready for action, the six-time champion jockey said: "It does your confidence the world of good to get applause like that. It was brilliant and I was looking forward to it.
"I worked four lots most days and worked in the gym to keep myself fit. It hasn't been frustrating at all. It was my choice to ride out and it helped me stay focussed."
Fallon's second ride last night, on Flying Cheetah in the Knockanglass Stables Handicap, resulted in a disappointing last.
