King Kieren: a mercurial talent whose ability was never questioned

After a period raging against the dying of the light, with an unlikely Classic winner in Night Of Thunder at the age of 49, Kieren Fallon has retired, a turbulently brilliant riding career ended by serious illness.

Fallon may be gone, having had his final ride aged 51, but his reputation will endure as one of the greatest jockeys of the modern era, a six-time champion with three Derby triumphs and a couple of Arcs to his name.

As powerful as they come in the saddle, here was the next in line after Piggott and Eddery, a jockey with an implacable will to win bordering on the pathological. But alongside such indomitable strength came serial controversy, a notoriously fiery temperament and that basilisk glare that could turn grown men's legs to jelly. Eat your heart out, Roy Keane.