Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon loves his son’s level-headed approach.
Kieren Fallon has expressed admiration for his son Cieren’s remarkable temperament and skills after witnessing him secure his third Group One victory aboard Montassib earlier this month.
Due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, the legendary jockey, known for his illustrious career, was unable to attend the race at Haydock, where the 25-year-old added to his previous triumphs with Oxted in 2020 and 2021. This latest win marks Cieren’s first top-level success with trainer William Haggas, with whom he has been associated since his apprentice days.
Oxted, trained by Roger Teal, played a pivotal role in Cieren’s rise to prominence. The speedster achieved a notable victory in the July Cup before securing his first Royal Ascot win with the King's Stand Stakes.
In a fitting turn of events, it was another late-maturing sprinter that broke Cieren’s three-year drought between Group One victories. His recent win in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock showcased his continuing success with Montassib, bringing their partnership to five wins together. Kieren, who claimed the Sprint Cup with Society Rock in 2012, praised his son’s race-riding acumen, particularly his timing in the race.
A big price winner!
Montassib wins the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes! 🏆#ITVRacing | @haydockraces | @CierenFallonJr | @WilliamHaggas pic.twitter.com/yoRthJyQo8
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) September 7, 2024
"I was supposed to go up with him, but I just got held up a bit in the yard, and by the time I got out, they had already gone," Kieren recounted. "In the end, it was probably a good job that I didn't go. I don’t really tell him how to ride races, and he doesn’t ask all that often."
Kieren acknowledged the nuances of race riding, emphasizing the importance of timing in when to push the horse. "You can guide them a little bit, but you can't teach someone how to ride," he explained. "Knowing when to sit and when to kick is crucial. It’s an art to find that knack."
While watching the race, Kieren found himself second-guessing his son’s timing, thinking, “Go on, kick; why is he waiting?” Nevertheless, he recognized that Cieren, who knows his horse better than anyone, ultimately got it right.
Cieren has consistently ridden over 50 winners each season since 2019 but faced challenges this year due to injuries that interrupted his momentum. After recovering from an injury that sidelined him during the winter, he endured a broken back at Windsor in July, which put him out of action once more.
Kieren praised Cieren's ability to cope with setbacks, a skill that he himself found difficult during his own career. “Not a lot fazes him,” Kieren noted. “I would have been tearing my hair out after a loss or a poor ride, but Cieren can shrug it off, which is a vital asset.”
Kieren reflected on his intense focus on racing during his career, which sometimes led to burnout. In contrast, Cieren enjoys a range of sports, including rugby league and football, providing him with healthy distractions outside of racing. “He’s different, which is good,” Kieren concluded, highlighting that balance as an important factor in Cieren’s resilience.
