Fallon: The Biography

by andrew-longmore

Kieren Fallon is the most successful Flat jockey of the modern era. Yet controversy is never far away. Six times Champion Jockey, a seventh title was taken from his grasp when he had an horrific, career-threatening fall in June 2000. He has won 15 Classics, including the Derby three times.

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2008

Reviews

[Roger C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography about my favourite jockey. Complex character and a career of ups and downs that make it such a good read. Never popular with the horsey establishment but real punters knew he was the man to have your money on.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publicity for 'the sport of kings' is magnified by outlandish characters, classy horses and distinctive owners, trainers and riders. Longstanding racing enthusiasts and those who enjoy just a good fun day out, all are captivated by not just the horses but their riders and those who's personality, demenour and ability shines forth and catches the gaze of both people and cameras alike. Kieren Fallon might not be as sprightly and as energetic as Frankie Dettori or as gutsy and serious as Tony McCoy, but he is a rider of outstanding natural talent & ability and it is this assurance that makes the punters back him, trainers rely on him and the public follow him. It is a shame that this able rider's career should be thus overshadowed by a black cloud of hate and animosity. In 2007 Kieren was charged for race fixing being a catalyst for change and an increased norariety of negativity, that was to tarnish and dent the very foundations of his career and exsisting personal achivements. All security was now crumbling as soon after the event he then failed a drugs test, which only increased the rate of his evapourating reputation and once highly aclaimed good name. This book gives an extremely detailed and utterly truthful acount of one of horse racings most intriguing and charismatic figures, who's career has been full of both triumph and disaster. The ups and downs of a jockey's career is one that makes the racing game so much a sport of chance and pure luck, hence when working with unpredictable animals in any capacity this is to be expected. Kieren Fallon is a rider who is not afraid of hard work as nothing has ever been handed to him freely but rather years of hard work and dedication was what was required, and to thus then be able to climb the career ladder to reaching national aclaim that most equestrians and sports professionals would dream of acomplishing. Every move that Kieren now makes is under constant scrutiny with critisism and public skepticism, and hence any achivements or acomplishements hence forth will be less celebrated by many. Top equestrian and sports journalist Claire Balding once stated that "Kieren Fallon doesn't just flirt with controversy - he embraced it". This beautiful volume filled full of stunning photographs that capture Kieren's life from child to amateur to professional, is one that opens a window into the world of a jockey's life in vivid realism. This biography tells the reader not just an indaviduals life story but one that encompases all the challenges and dramas that one can face & be presented with in not only a highly dangerous and precarious sport but also in daily life. I was sincerely able to empathise with this man's life as it touches upon all human emotions and the struggles that one can encounter when things get rough and tough, and what Fallon has endured is testimont to his distinctive character. He is a fighter and a tower of strength which one can easily see as he sits on top of a horse, and it is his very inner strength that has helped him along his way to greatness.