LONDON: Six-time British champion jockey Kieren Fallon has failed a drug test, his lawyer said on Saturday, a day after he was cleared of race-fixing charges when a two-month trial collapsed.
Jockey Kieren Fallon speaks to the media outside the Central Criminal Court in London December 7, 2007. Six-time British champion jockey Kieren Fallon has failed a drug test, his lawyer said on Saturday. [Agencies] |
The drug involved was cocaine, according to a source close to Fallon cited by the Press Association.
Fallon's solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said the 42-year-old Irishman tested positive for a banned substance after a race in Deauville, France, in August, although a B-sample second test result is still awaited.
"I can confirm that the story is true but it is a matter we are dealing with together with (French racing authority) France Galop and it is something we are not able to comment on.
"I am not in receipt of the actual B-sample results," he added, saying the positive test came after Fallon rode Myboycharlie to win the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville on August 19.
The source close to Fallon, while confirming the positive result for cocaine, cast doubt on the accuracy of the test.
He said the Irishman had tested positive for pure cocaine, which he called unusual because normally someone who had taken cocaine would test positive for a metabolite of the drug, after it had been broken down by the body.
French racing authorities imposed a six-month suspension on Fallon from December last year after he tested positive for a prohibited substance in June 2006.
Paul Struthers, spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority, said: "It's the responsibility of the French authorities, particularly as Fallon is based in Ireland. There's no reason why we'd know or need to know.
"The French system may differ a little, but our response would be that if the B sample comes back positive we'd have a disciplinary hearing to try to find out what the substance is, and then determine a punishment.
"Invariably a second offense would receive a stiffer penalty than the first - perhaps 18 months' suspension if the first was six.
"It's only a suspension though, not a ban, so you would be banned from racing, but not from things like working for a trainer. It doesn't spell the end of a jockey's career at all."
The news comes a day after Fallon voiced relief but also anger following the collapse of a high-profile race-fixing trial against him and five co-defendants at the Old Bailey in London.
The six were accused of conspiracy to defraud online betting customers by trying to cheat in 27 races to make horses lose, but the judge ruled there was no case to answer.
The ups and downs of Kieren Fallon
Receives six-month ban for tugging fellow rider Stuart Webster off his horse at the Yorkshire racecourse of Beverley when he was regarded as a journeyman rider and predominately rode on the less glamorous northern circuit.
May 1997
Wins first British classic on Sleepytime in English 1,000 Guineas.
November 1997
Becomes champion jockey for first time.
February 1998
Wins 70,000 pounds in damages from Sporting Life for libel.
June 1999
First Epsom Oaks/Derby double with Ramruma and Oath.
July 1999
Sacked by trainer Henry Cecil over what was referred to as "personal difference".
May 2000
Bounces back yet again by winning English 2,000 Guineas for new retainer Sir Michael Stoute.
January 2003
Old demons return to haunt the Irishman as he goes into a clinic to solve a drinking problem.
June 2003
Wins the Epsom Derby again, this time on Kris Kin.
March 2004
Suspended for 21 days for easing up on Ballinger Ridge, one of the rides he was later to be accused of over in the race-fixing case.
June 2004
Another Epsom Oaks/Derby double on North Light and Ouija Board.
September 2004
Clouds gather as he is detained as part of a police investigation into corruption in the sport and race-fixing.
July 2006
Takes a bad-looking fall at Longchamp off Eagle Mountain on France's national holiday Bastille Day, but after x-rays is given the all clear.
Charged with 10 others on conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers as part of investigation into alleged corruption. British and American authorities decide to ban him from riding until case is over. Is allowed to ride in Ireland and France.
November 2006
Suspended by French authorities for six months for testing positive for prohibited substance, a metabolite.
October 2007
An outstanding ride on Dylan Thomas brings him his second Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp and, wielding the Irish tricolor, returns to an emotional ovation in the winner's circle. Survives stewards' inquiry over whether he caused interference.
Day later appears in court for start of the trial - judge congratulates him on his ride on Dylan Thomas.
December 7, 2007
Cleared of all charges as case collapses. Admits to being relieved but also expresses outrage at the case ever being brought.
December 8
It is revealed that he tested positive for cocaine while riding Myboycharlie to victory in the Group One Prix Morny last August in Deauville. If B sample mirrors the findings of A sample, he risks a suspension of up to 18 months.
