Upsetting news from Racing Post.....
Fallon's Breeders' Cup appearance hangs in balance
by Andrew Scutts
THE spectre of Kieren Fallon being banned from riding at the Breeders' Cup loomed large on Thursday following confirmation that he will not be allowed to ride in next month's Arlington Million unless an appeal against his UK ban is successful in the High Court next Thursday.
Losing Fallon's services at the Breeders' Cup would come as a major blow to Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien, who last week emphasised Fallon's importance to his operation.
O'Brien has saddled Powerscourt to finish first past the post in the last two runnings of the Arlington Million - he was disqualified and placed fourth two years ago under Jamie Spencer - with Fallon on board last year. Ballydoyle's Ace has been mentioned as a possible for the race this year.
However, with eight championship races at Churchill Downs on November 4, Fallon's absence from the Breeders' Cup would hit Ballydoyle harder than an Arlington Park ban.
Marc Laino, executive director of the Illinois Racing Board, which governs Arlington Park, said on Thursday: "If Kieren Fallon isn't successful in appealing his ban in the UK he will not be allowed to ride in Illinois, including in the Arlington Million on August 12 - unless he successfully petitions the courts in the US.
"I have been advised by counsel for the IllinoisRacing Board that there is a possibility he could do that.
"We have a clear, unambiguous reciprocity rule and we will honour the ban imposed by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority. They do not need to ask us to do so.
"There is a policy in the States to honour other racing authorities' licence revocations, so as things stand Fallon will not be able to ride in Illinois. Had he been charged with a minor offence it might have been a different story, but these are very serious charges, and aside fromthe reciprocity issue we are duty bound to uphold the integrity of racing in Illinois. "I cannot speak for other jurisdictions in the US, but my expectation is that they would follow suit and also ban Fallon. As well as through the courts he would have the option of appealing to the Illinois Racing Board. He wouldn't need to appear in person - he can be represented by counsel."
However John Veitch, chief state steward in Kentucky, said on Thursday that no firm decision had been reached by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, which governs Churchill Downs.
He added: "If Illinois deny Fallon a licence to ride, we might - and I emphasise the word 'might' - have to honour their decision and follow suit. The legal position is unclear, though, with Fallon able to continue riding in Ireland and France, even though he is currently banned in the UK. We'll see what happens next week before considering the matter further."
A separate issue is whether Fallon would be allowed into the US, even if he successfully appeals his UK ban in the High Court.
Fallon has previously been questioned at a US airport for two hours by US Department of Homeland Security officials, following his arrest on suspicion of 'race-fixing'.
Having since been charged with 'conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers', he could face further grilling by customs officials, both at Shannon Airport - where the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection retains "the right to interrogate any individual travelling to the US", according to a spokesperson - and upon arrival in the US.
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