Cieren Fallon surprised to be on brink of apprentice jockeys' title

Cieren Fallon admits he is shocked by his rapid progress this season as he closes in on the apprentice jockeys' title.

Son of six-time British Flat champion and three-time Derby winner Kieren Fallon, the 20-year-old was eight winners clear (47-39) of nearest rival Sean Davis in the apprentice championship after racing on Monday following a sensational run of form.

Fallon, who is attached to trainer William Haggas's stable, has ridden 40 winners since the start of July, including two valuable handicap successes this month in the £100,000 Old Borough Cup at Haydock on Time To Study and the £60,000 Portland Handicap at Doncaster on Oxted.

Flying Fallon

September 14 winners
August 11
July 16
June 3

Statistics correct as of end of racing September 22

"It's been a surprise as this year was meant to be a quiet season learning the trade and the tracks, and next year we were going to go for the apprentice title," he said. "I had 16 winners in July and it's just gone from there. Since then I've been getting a lot of support and more rides.

"To get two big Saturday winners this month has really accelerated my career. I feel I'm getting better opportunities and progressing as a rider."

Cieren Fallon in the weighing room with father Kieren at Doncaster's St Leger meetingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Fallon, who gained his first victory on only his third ride in September last year, wants to add his name to the apprentice title roll of honour featuring the likes of Oisin Murphy, Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori.

"I want to achieve more than my dad and being champion apprentice would be one thing he never managed and I'd be able to wind him up about it," said Fallon.

"It would be a real achievement and a thank you to the owners and trainers that have supported me. Before going away for the winter I want to leave with as many connections as possible as I don't want to be a one-season wonder."

Expanding on Fallon's plans to ride abroad in the winter, Haggas, speaking at the Henry Cecil Open Weekend on Sunday, said: "I'm delighted Cieren is eight winners clear in his quest to be champion apprentice. If he can do that on Champions Day at Ascot he will leave the following week for America for a three-month working holiday with Christophe Clement.

"Hopefully he will keep his 3lb claim so when he comes back in the new year the transition from apprentice to fully-fledged jockey will be straightforward. Given that it was only two years ago – when he was living in Wigan – that he announced to his mother that he would like to learn to ride, what he has achieved has been truly remarkable."

The apprentice jockeys' championship will conclude on October 19.

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