Kieren Francis Fallon, born in Crusheen, Co Clare, on February 22nd, 1965, enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a jockey and assembled a quite glittering portfolio. The 51-year-old jockey has not ridden in races since taking a fall on the Curragh gallops last Wednesday morning and annouced his retirement this morning (Monday).
Apprenticeship: With Kevin Prendergast 1982-7 (rode 38 winners in Ireland); Jimmy FitzGerald 1988.
First winner: Picadilly Lord, Navan, June 18, 1984.
First winner in Britain: Evichstar, Thirsk, April 16, 1988.
First century: 1996.
Champion jockey: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003.
200 winners in a year: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004.
2000 Guineas winners: King's Best 2000, Golan 2001, Footstepsinthesand 2005, George Washington 2006, Night Of Thunder 2014.
Derby winners: Oath 1999, Kris Kin 2003, North Light 2004.
1000 Guineas winners: Sleepytime 1997, Wince 1999, Russian Rhythm 2003, Virginia Waters 2005.
Oaks winners: Reams Of Verse 1997, Ramruma 1999, Ouija Board 2004, Alexandrova 2006.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners: Hurricane Run 2005, Dylan Thomas 2007.
WHAT THEY SAID
Aidan O'Brien after Dylan Thomas won the 2006 Irish Champion Stakes, beating Ouija Board in a thriller: "With Kieren on your side you are never beaten. He never had to get really serious with Dylan Thomas and he seemed to allow Ouija Board join him and then head him, knowing that he had her covered."
John Magnier after Dylan Thomas won the 2006 Irish Derby: "If Ireland were in the World Cup and in a penalty shootout, the man I would pick to take the fifth penalty would be Kieren."
Aidan O'Brien again after Fallon's dramatic victory on Dylan Thomas in the 2007 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: "What a masterful ride he gave him and I don't think he has ever been beaten on this horse. When Kieren gets on a horse he goes into a different land. What a unique talent he is."
David Nicholls after Fallon won the 2005 Stewards' Cup on Gift Horse from an improbable position: "He's king of the planet!"
Ed Dunlop after Fallon steered Ouija Board to Breeders' Cup glory in 2004: "We were lucky with the draw. If we'd been further wide than five we might not have been able to get the position on the rails. But Kieren found the right spot and gave her a fantastic ride."
Sir Michael Stoute after Golan won the 2002 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes: "Kieren was brilliant. It wasn't the plan to be so far back, but he was very cool. He was patient and took what was the right route."
Aidan O'Brien today wished him well, saying: "Kieren was an exceptional jockey and we had a lot of great days together. We would all like to wish him the very best for the future."
Andre Fabre was taken aback by the news, but will never forget Fallon winning the Arc and Irish Derby for him in 2005 on Hurricane Run.
"He won for me an Arc that was not impossible to win, but it was thanks to him," said the master French trainer.
"I liked the way he used the horses and I liked the person as well. He's a character and a nice man. I hope he's going to be OK.
"Riding has been his life. He was top class."
SIX OF THE BEST HORSES HE RODE
DYLAN THOMAS (Aidan O'Brien)
Labelled simply the "best I have ever ridden'' by Fallon after his success in the 2007 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. The imposing Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was recording back-to-back wins in the Group 1 contest, both coming under Fallon, who also guided him to glory in the Irish Derby. His assertion would hardly have changed in the wake of his dramatic success in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the day before the rider was due to appear at the Old Bailey.
OUIJA BOARD (Ed Dunlop)
Seven-times a Group 1 winner, the Ed Dunlop-trained mare undoubtedly goes down as one of the most brilliant members of her sex - and she was hugely popular with it. She was most latterly partnered by Frankie Dettori, but Fallon's influence on her career was immense. The Irishman partnered her to a famous English and Irish Oaks double in 2004, followed by her inaugural victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare at Lone Star Park later that year, a ride he executed to perfection. He also won the Hong Kong Vase on her.
GEORGE WASHINGTON (Aidan O'Brien)
The horse with the big ego met his match in Fallon, who handled him superbly to land five victories, three of them at Group 1 level. There were plenty of doubters heading into the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but precious few afterwards as 'Gorgeous George' swept through to win going away from subsequent Derby hero Sir Percy. The horse was subsequently injured when bidding for a double in the Irish equivalent but bounced back to win the QEII at Ascot under Mick Kinane and was far from disgraced when sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic on his final start before being retired to stud, only to return after proving far from productive in the breeding sheds. He returned to the track but was to meet a tragic end when fatally injured in the 2007 Breeders' Cup.
BOSRA SHAM (Sir Henry Cecil)
Not far behind Ouija Board in stature and the apple of Sir Henry Cecil's eye, the daughter of Hector Protector hit her greatest heights under Pat Eddery in the Fillies' Mile, 1000 Guineas and Champion Stakes, but Fallon was aboard for wins in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the Brigadier Gerard, although he was controversially beaten on her in the 1997 Eclipse.
HURRICANE RUN (Andre Fabre)
No-one will ever forget the ice-cool Fallon conjuring a sensational burst up the far rail on Andre Fabre's colt in the 2005 Arc. The pair also recorded victories in the Irish Derby, Prix Niel and Tattersalls Gold Cup.
RUSSIAN RHYTHM (Sir Michael Stoute)
Simply magnificent at her best and a multiple Group 1 winner, four in total - all for Fallon. Her crowning moments came in the 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Nassau Stakes - where she stepped up successfully to 10 furlongs - and the Lockinge Stakes, where she beat the colts.