Kieren Fallon won a memorable Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris yesterday but horse racing's most controversial jockey will return to earth with a bang this morning as his fight against race-fixing charges continues at the Old Bailey in London, writes Brian O'Connor, Racing Correspondent.
Fallon will attend the Old Bailey on the back of what he described as "probably one of the best days of my life" after the Aidan O'Brien- trained Dylan Thomas won Europe's most coveted all-aged race in dramatic style yesterday.
However, it looked for some time as if even that might turn sour for the 42-year-old Clare born jockey. Dylan Thomas was at the centre of a lengthy stewards inquiry that threatened to result in a first Arc disqualification in 22 years. As the four-year-old winner, who is owned by the Coolmore Stud syndicate, made his challenge, he caused interference to a number of horses including stable-companion Soldier Of Fortune which finished fifth.
"I was very worried," conceded a relieved Fallon after riding his second Arc winner following Hurricane Run in 2005. It was a first Arc de Triomphe for trainer Aidan O'Brien who described the jockey as a "master of his craft".
The Coolmore syndicate, for whom Fallon is the retained jockey, have resolutely stood by their man through the current race-fixing controversy, even though he has been banned from riding in the UK since July of last year.
That ban was reciprocated by the US racing authorities and so Fallon will be unable to team up with Dylan Thomas when the Arc winner has possibly his final career start in the Breeders' Cup meeting at Monmouth Park in New Jersey at the end of this month.
Five co-defendants also face corruption charges after a City Of London police investigation into more than 80 races between December of 2002 and September 2004.
The trial is due to begin in earnest today on the back of legal argument that began two weeks ago, jury selection, and then a short delay after a burst water pipe damaged the courtroom being used for what has already been described as "racing's trial of the century".