Cieren Fallon rides first Group One winner on Oxted in the July Cup
Kieren Fallon never won a Darley July Cup during his illustrious career but his son Cieren, one of the rising stars of the weighing room, broke his and trainer Roger Teal’s Group One duck when Oxted ran out a popular winner of Saturday’s big race.
In the best sprint of the season so far, the 12-1 shot beat all the right horses with the Irish challenger Sceptical a length and a half back in second, Golden Horde third, Khaadem fourth and Hello Youmzain fifth to land a plan formulated last autumn when Oxted, coming up through the ranks, won the Portland Handicap at Doncaster.
Fallon, 21, was champion apprentice last year and at the time the Portland was his biggest win. Even if there is a degree of inevitability about it on his breeding, a first Group One is a big step and this was only his third ride in one.
He carried out instructions and advice from Teal, his boss, William Haggas and his dad, who walked him up the course on Thursday and twice again on Saturday to perfection on the Abernant winner.
“I’m speechless,” said Fallon, who shares a house with his father, afterwards. “I was on a very good horse. Dad said, ‘Keep it simple, don’t take him back, don’t push, keep him balanced into the Dip.’ I didn’t look back.
“He’s a very fast horse and versatile. He’s won between 5½ furlongs and seven, on fast ground and on good to soft. I was just a passenger. When he was winning the Portland I didn’t think I’d be riding in a Group One this season, let alone winning one. It was very good of them to keep me on the horse and nice to be able to pay them back.”
He added: “I’m going to celebrate with the family tonight but tomorrow’s another day. Dad was going to move to the USA, but stuck around to look after me and I can’t thank him enough.”
A proud Fallen snr said: “He’s got it – I know he’s got it. It was difficult for the young lad to get going again, but he’s had a couple of decent winners now and when you’re on a roll things fall your way. He’s got so much confidence – I wish I had half his confidence when I was riding.
“William [Haggas] has done so much with him behind the scenes. He has sent him to Australia and he has sent him to America. He works hard and he’s dedicated, but without William he wouldn’t be having this success.”
Teal has also been a big supporter. The trainer moved into Windsor House, a yard where Peter Walwyn and Nicky Henderson both started, in December. If you believe in that sort of thing, it is a lucky yard.
At 55, Teal may not be as youthful as Fallon, but he is nevertheless a trainer going places. Two years ago, but for Saxon Warrior, he would have won the 2,000 Guineas with Tip Two Win and his stable has been in flying form lately.
“I think I’m going to pass out,” he said at finally having cracked a Group One. “We targeted this all year and missing Ascot was the right thing to do. My son Harry who rides him said earlier in the week he’d win the July Cup and I said ‘behave.’ He said it again when we tacked him up.
“Cieren’s such a cool little dude. I think he’s got a bit of a future. The ground was a bit of a worry, but he’s bred to go with a bit juice in the ground. I told him to bounce out and keep it simple, take a lead to the Dip then go get them.
“People ask why you’re using a claimer in a Group One, but he gels with the horse. We banked on him and the kid came good.”
