KIEREN FALLON has criticised the 19-runner field that lined up for Sunday’s Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, saying there were fillies running “who had no right to be there”.
The controversial former champion jockey finished 11th in the race on Blue Maiden, but he is critical of the large numbers of runners allowed in the classic.
“To have 19 runners in a classic like that was just too much. The race is supposed to be for the best of their sex, yet in all honesty there were fillies who had no right to be there,” Fallon said in a newspaper column.
Earlier this month the Irishman rode Seta in the English 1,000 Guineas when 17 fillies ran at Newmarket.
Nineteen ran in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas.
Fallon is also critical of the early closing stage for the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup, which was won by Fame And Glory at the weekend.
“I know Gitano Hernando would have been considered but the closing date for entries was too early for connections to commit,” he said.
- Fallon was cut for the jockeys’ title after riding a four-timer at Ayr yesterday. The former champion was successful on Northern Fling and Tillietudlem for Jim Goldie, as well as Mick Channon’s Light Dubai and the Linda Stubbs-trained Five Star Junior.
Ladbrokes reacted by making him to 5 to 1 (from 6s) to reclaim the crown from Ryan Moore.
Spokesman David Williams said: “When Fallon is at his irresistible best he has the biggest following in racing. His feats at Ayr have whacked us for a fortune.”
