Cieren Fallon crowned double Champion Apprentice

News | 7^th November 2020

Fallon was crowned 2020 Champion Apprentice at Doncaster Racecourse today – becoming the first jockey to retain the title in 32 years.

Cieren Fallon, who has claimed 43 wins in the 2020 Apprentice Jockeys’ Championship, repeats the achievement of Gary Bardwell who won consecutive Champion Apprentice titles in 1987 and 1988.

Fallon, son of six-time Champion Jockey Kieren Fallon, finishes 23 victories ahead of second-placed Harrison Shaw by and 28 in front of third-placed Georgia Dobie.

2020 Apprentice Jockeys’ Championship top five:

Jockey	Wins
Cieren Fallon Jr	43
Harrison Shaw	20
Georgia Dobie	15
Stefano Cherchi	14
Thomas Greatrex	14

On being crowned 2020 Champion Apprentice, the 21-year-old said: “It’s an amazing achievement for me, it is something I set out to do after the success of last year.”

“I’ve been very lucky to have the people I have around me to help me achieve these goals – my jockey coach, nutritionist, a great boss in Sheikh Fahad, William and Maureen Haggas, my mum and dad. They are all the best at what they do, so I’m very lucky to be in the position.”

William Haggas, with whom Fallon is based and for whom he has ridden seven winners this season, said: “Cieren has done amazingly well since he started in racing and his achievement in winning two apprentice titles tells only half the story.”

“It is well documented that he spent his young life with his Mother in Wigan and he came to Newmarket when he was 17 having asked his Mother if he could learn to ride.”

“Following a spell at the British Racing School, he came to us and has progressed rapidly in the years he has been here. He has natural flair on a horse and keeps himself very fit and focused on race riding.”

Training ahead of racing resumption with my jocksy coach @Michaelhills63 @RPerhamBRS at @POHse2019 @jockeytraining @BRSNewmarket @IJF_official @GBRacing very lucky to be able to have access to these amazing facilities. Brilliant organisation e.g gloves, masks, 2 meters social! pic.twitter.com/9jXOUgkB3Y
— 𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝐉𝐑 (@CierenFallonJr) May 19, 2020

“It will be extremely hard for him to match the achievements in the saddle of his Father, but I have no doubt that he will give it every chance and all of us here are right behind him in everything he does.”

“One of the most impressive aspects of his title this year is how little he has had to rely on us for rides. He has spread his wings far and wide and whilst he has a long way to go, he is starting to earn the respect of other trainers up and down the country, and we are very proud of him.”

Amongst Fallon’s 43 wins in the campaign, Fallon secured his maiden Group successes with Oxted, firstly winning the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in June and then returning to the same track to claim the Group 1 Darley July Cup in a thrilling victory.

Other highlights for Fallon this season include a 200/1 win aboard Intercessor at Newbury, success with Muraad at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, and a win with the Godolphin-owned Global Storm at Newmarket.

Fallon, who was also appointed as Qatar Racing’s second retained jockey this season, discusses these highlights in the below video with ITV and Sky Sports Racing Presenter, Jason Weaver, who was also Champion Apprentice himself in 1993: