Trainer and former champion jockey enjoyed many great days together.
Kieren Fallon Pays Tribute to Sir Michael Stoute as Racing Legend Announces Retirement
Racing icon Sir Michael Stoute has announced his retirement, marking the end of an era that left an indelible mark on horse racing. The legendary trainer, known for nurturing champions like Shergar and Russian Rhythm, is set to step away at the end of the season. Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, who rode for Stoute during some of his most memorable years, paid a heartfelt tribute to the man he described as "the trainer I always wanted to ride for."
Fallon’s career was forever shaped by his association with Stoute, and in an emotional reflection, he recalled how much it meant to him to work with the legendary trainer. “I don’t like comparing trainers, but he was my favorite,” said Fallon, acknowledging Stoute’s remarkable career. “He was the trainer I always wanted to ride for. Coming from the west of Ireland, dreaming of being in his yard felt impossible, especially after Shergar.”
Stoute’s legacy is unparalleled, having trained some of the greatest racehorses in history. Fallon, who rode the brilliant filly Russian Rhythm, credited Stoute for his touch with champions. “Russian Rhythm won the 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Nassau Stakes, and the Lockinge. She wasn’t just a filly for a season—she was a champion at two, three, and four years old. That’s what made him so special.”
The depth of their partnership ran deep, and Fallon recounted his time riding another Stoute champion, King’s Best. “Unfortunately, King’s Best broke down, but before that, he was a machine. What he did in the Guineas, going from first to last, was unforgettable. I remember his final piece of work before he was supposed to go to Epsom, and I had never ridden anything like it. It was that exceptional.”
Fallon described the meticulous nature of Stoute’s training regime, explaining how the horses thrived under his care. “The horses loved it there, and that’s one of the reasons for his success,” Fallon revealed, illustrating the fine balance of Stoute’s approach. Notnowcato was a perfect example of the magic Stoute could work with a horse. “Notnowcato was a handicapper before he won the Eclipse. I even told a friend to buy him to go jumping, but Stoute turned him into an Eclipse winner. That’s how good he was.”
Despite the depth of their bond, Fallon emphasized that Stoute was “firm but fair” when it came to dealing with his riders. Their collaboration saw them win two Derbys together with Kris Kin and North Light, adding to a long list of successes that spanned the likes of Golan, Islington, and King’s Best.
“All of the great jockeys have been there at some stage, even Gary Stevens came over to ride for him,” Fallon reminisced. "I had just finished with Henry Cecil, and I was freelancing when I ended up riding all these great horses for Sir Michael. The Guineas, Derby, Royal Ascot—there were some incredible horses in that stable.”
One of the most memorable aspects of working with Stoute, according to Fallon, was the casual yet meaningful way he communicated. Fallon recalled with fondness how Stoute would invite him over for a glass of wine before a big race. “He’d ring me before a Classic or big race, and we’d just sit down and talk. He’d ask me how I was going to ride the horse tomorrow, keeping it simple instead of making things complicated in front of the owners.”
Fallon was quick to point out Stoute’s genius lay in his ability to trust his riders and let races unfold naturally. “He knew when the gates opened, anything could happen, and he understood that it was hard to plan everything perfectly. When you’re tied down to a plan, you end up correcting instead of letting things happen. He could read races, and he knew that things unfold.”
One story Fallon vividly recalled involved a race at Windsor, a track Fallon admitted he didn’t like. “I was riding a filly there, and she missed the kick. I didn’t ride a great race and got stuck on the outside. The next morning, I was sitting at breakfast, reading the paper, when Sir Michael came in. He hit the table with his fist and said, ‘I had a 33% strike rate at Windsor before you started riding for me!’ He was annoyed, but that was it—he didn’t dwell on it.”
The legendary trainer also had a playful side. Fallon fondly remembered how Stoute would pretend to take notes during work, writing on his palm with his finger. “If someone told him something he didn’t agree with, he’d pretend to crumple up the paper and throw it away. It was usually Johnny Murtagh or Mick Kinane he’d do it to. I don’t remember him doing it to me, but I’m sure he did at some point.”
Reflecting on the many years of partnership, Fallon acknowledged there was only one small blip during all their years working together. But despite that, Fallon’s admiration for Stoute remained undiminished. “He was firm but fair. And he was always focused on the bigger picture.”
As the curtain falls on Sir Michael Stoute’s illustrious career, Fallon’s tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the trainer’s profound impact on horse racing. Fallon’s words encapsulate the deep respect and affection shared by so many in the racing world for this living legend, whose legacy will be felt long after his retirement.
