Cieren Fallon, son of former multiple champion jockey Kieren Fallon, won the final race of the 2019 Qatar Goodwood Festival, the Qatar Apprentice Handicap, on the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Gifts Of Gold.
It was the young jockey’s first ever Qatar Goodwood Festival success – and his first at the track.
Cieren and Dad Kieren (Pic – Cieren Fallon Twitter)
The four-year-old son of Invincible Spirit justified his position at the 9/4 favourite for the one mile, one furlong race and swept through to win by a length and three-quarters from the Amanda Perrett-trained You’re Hired (Scott McCullagh). Rotherwick, trained by Paul Cole, finished third, half a length behind You’re Hired under William Carver.
Fallon jnr, 20, said: “I wanted to be further up, but they went a nice gallop so I was happy to sit back and take my time on him. He’s a nice, big galloping horse and the race unfolded when we came down the bend and he just lengthened. He hit the front and was still a bit green, looking around, but he’s done it comfortably in the end and I think we’ll step him up again.
“He’s probably the best horse I’ve sat on, so I couldn’t quite tell you how good he is. I’m delighted to ride a winner on a Saturday at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Godolphin supported my father at the back end of his career and I’m delighted to be able to repay them with my thanks. The horse has done it well and I’m pleased.”
