Latest news with #KierenFallon
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Epsom legend Kieren Fallon gives his big tip for this year's meet with Irishman insisting it's a 'foregone conclusion'
Kieren Fallon wouldn't usually show his hand so easily but an exceptional horse has led him to take a break from the norm. 'I think the Oaks is a foregone conclusion,' Fallon proclaimed of Desert Flower, hot favourite for Friday's Betfred-sponsored Classic. 'She settles and will switch off nicely. She will be fine over the trip and she'll go on any ground. 'If the filly was running in the Derby, I would think she would be very competitive. I would be wanting to back her. She's the nicest filly I've seen in a long time. I thought she would maybe even be good enough to beat the colts.' Fallon was a magician at Epsom, a jockey who could go around those hairpin turns as if he was being controlled by a joystick. He won The Oaks four times, to go with three Derbies and three Coronation Cups, so for him to say Desert Flower has it all should register on antennas far and wide. Epsom in June should always herald the possibility of history and in Desert Flower, we have the potential to see something exceptional. Fallon, who is regular work rider for her owners Godolphin, has watched the chestnut develop over the last 12 months and is convinced she's ready to bloom. What a prospect it would be to see. Since the turn of the century, only Kazzia (2002), Minding (2016) and Love (2020) have annexed the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and gone on to follow up at Epsom but the vibes are that the exclusive club is about to welcome a new member. Desert Flower, unbeaten in five thunderous starts for Charlie Appleby, is the kind of horse that quickens pulses even in yards that are accustomed to dealing with superstars and the vibes about her have been strong since before she made her debut at Newmarket's July meeting last summer. 'She was different last year – ever since her first start, she showed things that were just a bit out of the ordinary,' William Buick, her smitten jockey, tells Mail Sport. 'Her work at home was out of the ordinary. After so many years of riding at Moulton Paddocks, you know what separates the good ones. 'She was doing things from the start that suggested she was top drawer.' For Fallon, who is now 60, to raise the possibility of her running against male opposition gives an insight into how far Godolphin think Desert Flower can climb — if she was to extend her winning spree on Friday, might she go onto emulate Oh So Sharp? It is 40 years since Oh So Sharp completed the fillies' triple crown, supplementing victories at Newmarket and Epsom on Doncaster's Town Moor in the St Leger and a handsome bonus is on offer from Betfred if it can be completed. That, of course, is for the future. Epsom is all that matters for now and for all that connections rave about Desert Flower, the opposition is deep and plentiful — as it should be — with Ballydoyle firing three potent arrows at the target. Minnie Hauk, who warmed up for this by winning Chester's Cheshire Oaks last month, appears to be the stable number one but Twirl was a taking winner of York's Muisadora Stakes and Giselle, victorious in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, has had a towering reputation for 12 months. 'She was just ready to start in Chester,' trainer Aidan O'Brien said of Minnie Hauk. 'We had to try to get a run into her somewhere before the Oaks and that suited perfectly. We knew it wouldn't be too demanding on her and she would have learned plenty. 'She's a lovely filly with a good nature, a good traveller and has a good stride to her. She shows plenty of pace in her work in her half-speeds. Giselle got very keen through the winter and spring and wanted to do too much so we didn't get to do an awful lot with her – it was all about relaxing her. 'If we were going to the Oaks she had to run and Lingfield was about the only place she could. She was probably very underdone fitness-wise, we were just hoping to get her started and go from there, so we were delighted with the way she won. She's come forward a lot since then, we think. 'Whirl is a very straightforward filly and Ryan (Moore) was very happy to make the running on her in York. A filly came up either side of her, but that was no problem. She's got a lovely mind and she got the mile and a quarter very well. She looked like a filly that could get further.' O'Brien has won the Oaks on 10 occasions and will know exactly the quality of his ammunition. So too, though, will Fallon, a man with an encyclopaedic knowledge. If he is prepared to say Desert Flower is not for stopping, the best advice would be to sit back and enjoy the show.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
William Buick backs Desert Flower to bloom in quest for Oaks glory as filly bids to make history at Epsom
William Buick is dreaming that Desert Flower will bloom in the most spectacular fashion and retain her unbeaten record in the Betfred Oaks. Desert Flower heads to Epsom on Friday as the hot favourite for the fillies' middle-distance Classic, her place at the head of the market secured by a brilliant performance in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. Love (2020), Minding (2016) and Kazzia (2002) are the only horses to have done the Oaks-Guineas double this century but confidence is high and Kieren Fallon, who rides work for owners Godolphin, feels Desert Flower winning is a 'foregone conclusion'. Buick is not quite so bullish in public but the respect he holds for Desert Flower is huge and has been since he partnered her for the first time in a maiden at Newmarket last July. 'Ever since her first start, she's showed things that are just a bit out of the ordinary,' said Buick. 'Her work at home was out of the ordinary. 'You know what separates the good ones (from the rest) and she was doing things that suggested she was top-drawer.' There are plenty of dangers, however, and Aidan O'Brien throws three darts at the prize. Minnie Hauk, who warmed up for Epsom with a fine display at Chester, looks the pick from Ballydoyle.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘I'd back her in the Derby' – Legendary jockey says £325,000 Epsom Oaks runner is an absolute good thing
LEGENDARY jockey Kieren Fallon says the £325,000 winner of the Oaks is a 'foregone conclusion' - and he'd even back her in the Derby. Ryan Moore has opted to ride Aidan O'Brien's Minnie Hauk in the prestigious Group 1 for fillies and the dream duo have combined to win two of the past five renewals. 1 But Fallon is certain Desert Flower is an absolute good thing this year. Charlie Appleby's Godolphin three-year-old - who will be ridden by William Buick - was awesome in winning the 1,000 Guineas last month. And Fallon believes there are absolutely no question marks over her ability to stay the 1m4f trip on the Downs. The six-time former champion jockey - who recently revealed two things he hates about racing today - said of the 13-8 favourite: "If the filly was running in the Derby I would think she would be very competitive, I would be wanting to back her. "I think the Oaks is a foregone conclusion and she ticks all the boxes. "She settles and will switch off nicely and she will be fine over the trip and she will go on any ground. "She's the nicest filly I've seen in a long time and I thought she would maybe even be good enough to beat the colts." Fallon knows what he is talking about. He won the Oaks four times between 1997 and 2006 and bagged the Derby three times in six years from 1999. Buick and Appleby combined to land the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas last month. And their superstar colt Ruling Court is joint-fav with O'Brien's Delacroix to win his second Classic in a row in Saturday's £1.5million Derby. But Fallon, who rides out at Appleby's Moulton Paddocks base, isn't so sure on his credentials. He added: "Maybe it's best to stick with Ryan Moore and the draw for Delacroix (in 14) doesn't really matter if the horse is good enough. "Ruling Court has lots of speed and won the best trial, but will he stay? "I think Delacroix is guaranteed to stay whereas Ruling Court isn't. "He's a horse with a lot of speed, but if there is a bit of cut in the ground it might not be ideal. "Aidan has a great record in the race and you have to respect that, but it would be a very nice double if Charlie could do it." . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was a ‘hard as nails' six-time champion jockey – there's two things I HATE about racing today
DOUBLE TROUBLE I was a 'hard as nails' six-time champion jockey – there's two things I HATE about racing today A WINNER of the Derby, Oaks, Arc and both Guineas - 'hard as nails' and a six-time champion jockey akin to a horse whisperer. Kieren Fallon did it all - some of it not so good - in his legendary career. Advertisement 2 Legendary jockey Kieren Fallon won it all in his star-studded career including the Derby multiple times Credit: PA:Press Association 2 But now the 60-year-old, having had time to reflect on his career out of the saddle, says there are two things he cannot stand about racing today But the iconic rider has revealed two things he simply cannot stand about watching racing today. Fallon, now 60, was a punter's pal during his heyday in the late Nineties and early Noughties. Only one year out of seven, when Kevin Darley won in 2000, was he not crowned the best in Britain. The victories and millions upon millions in prize money piled up high for the Irish rider. Advertisement And he had his own way of doing things. Fallon didn't like to ride hold-up style, sitting at the back and waiting for the gaps to appear with a late burst of speed. He always preferred to be up with the pace, ensuring a true gallop and stretching out the field to give the best horse the best chance. That partly explains one of his gripes with the way racing has gone today. Advertisement Fallon, who won the Epsom Oaks and Derby four and three times respectively, got the issue off his chest on Luck On Sunday. Now a work rider for Godolphin's No1 trainer Charlie Appleby, Fallon said there is one riding style he cannot stand. Opening up on his pet peeves, Fallon, dad of current jockey Cieren, said: "I hate these false rails. "I think, for one, it takes the art of race-riding out of it. Advertisement "Now, for a punter and from a betting point of view, they're great because it opens up the race. "But when they came out at first I didn't agree with them. "Another thing I don't agree with is coming up the centre of the racecourse - it opens it up for everyone. "But, if you have a bet, and your horse is in behind it gives you a lot more chance than if you stay on the rail. Advertisement "But that's the fun and that's the art of it." Fallon also opened up on what it's like to work for Appleby. The Southampton boy completed a Guineas double this year with Desert Flower - red-hot favourite for the Oaks - and Ruling Court winning the 1000 and 2000 Guineas respectively. Fallon said Desert Flower is the one of the two he'd most like to ride at Epsom. Advertisement But, despite his considerable experience, he's not allowed on the top young talent at Appleby's Moulton Paddocks yard. He joked: "He doesn't let me have much to do with the two-year-olds. "He says once you're over 55 you can't be riding yearlings - he's a p***-taker, Charlie is! "But he's a great guy to work for, he's fun." Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I was a ‘hard as nails' six-time champion jockey – there's two things I HATE about racing today
A WINNER of the Derby, Oaks, Arc and both Guineas - 'hard as nails' and a six-time champion jockey akin to a horse whisperer. Kieren Fallon did it all - some of it not so good - in his legendary career. 2 Legendary jockey Kieren Fallon won it all in his star-studded career including the Derby multiple times Credit: PA:Press Association 2 But now the 60-year-old, having had time to reflect on his career out of the saddle, says there are two things he cannot stand about racing today But the iconic rider has revealed two things he simply cannot stand about watching today. Fallon, now 60, was a punter's pal during his heyday in the late Nineties and early Noughties. Only one year out of seven, when Kevin Darley won in 2000, was he not crowned the best in Britain. The victories and millions upon millions in prize money piled up high for the Irish rider. And he had his own way of doing things. Fallon didn't like to ride hold-up style, sitting at the back and waiting for the gaps to appear with a late burst of speed. He always preferred to be up with the pace, ensuring a true gallop. And that partly explains one of his gripes with the way racing has gone today. Most read in Horse Racing Fallon, who won the Epsom Oaks and Derby four and three times respectively, got the issue off his chest on Luck On Sunday. Now a work rider for Godolphin's No1 trainer Charlie Appleby, Fallon said there is one riding style he cannot stand. Opening up on his pet peeves, Fallon, dad of current jockey Cieren, said: "I hate these false rails. "I think, for one, it takes the art of race-riding out of it. "Now, for a punter and from a betting point of view, they're great because it opens up the race. "But when they came out at first I didn't agree with them. "Another thing I don't agree with is coming up the centre of the racecourse - it opens it up for everyone. "But, if you have a bet, and your horse is in behind it gives you a lot more chance than if you stay on the rail. "But that's the fun and that's the art of it." Fallon also opened up on what it's like to work for Appleby. The Southampton boy completed a Guineas double this year with Desert Flower - red-hot favourite for the Oaks - and Ruling Court winning the 1000 and 2000 Guineas respectively. Fallon said Desert Flower is the one of the two he'd most like to ride at Epsom. But, despite his considerable experience, he's not allowed on the top young talent at Appleby's Moulton Paddocks yard. He joked: "He doesn't let me have much to do with the two-year-olds. "He says once you're over 55 you can't be riding yearlings - he's a p***-taker, Charlie is! "But he's a great guy to work for, he's fun." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
