Fallon for Ballydoyle

Racing: Kieren Fallon has got the job he has always wanted after being announced as the new stable jockey to Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle last night.

The move has ended a period of intense speculation following Jamie Spencer's departure from one of the most coveted posts in racing after just one year.

O'Brien last night said: "Kieren has ridden for us before and naturally we are all looking forward to him riding for us again. I don't have to say much on what he brings to the job. The whole world knows how good a jockey he is. I will be speaking to him more over the next few days."

Fallon, originally from Crusheen in Co Clare, has been six times champion jockey in Britain and despite having been stable jockey to Michael Stoute, with whom he has won the Epsom Derby for the last two years, he has decided to return to Ireland.

It is the latest step in an often turbulent career that last year saw Fallon arrested as part of police investigation in racing corruption. The 40-year-old has also been the subject of tabloid exposure concerning his private life.

A statement from Coolmore Stud last night said briefly: "Owners, John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are delighted to announce that Kieren Fallon will be the retained jockey for the horses at Ballydoyle and elsewhere for the 2005 season."

Fallon has ridden for Aidan O'Brien in the past and hit the Group One mark in 2002 when Hold That Tiger won the Grand Criterium at Longchamp. He also rode that horse in the Breeders' Cup that year.

There has been speculation for some years that Fallon was earmarked for the Ballydoyle job and the jockey has said in the past he would be tempted by a return to Ireland.

However, the speculation turned feverish earlier in the week when it was reported he had travelled to Barbados to meet John Magnier and Michael Tabor.

Fallon can look forward to riding such classic prospects as Ad Valorem and Footstepsinthesand for O'Brien this year but the move throws into serious doubt whether he will be able to retain the ride on the champion filly Ouija Board as well as the current Derby favourite Motivator.

Kieren Fallon Factfile

Born: February 22nd, 1965 in Co Clare.

First Winner: Piccadilly Lord at Navan on June 18th, 1984.

First Classic: 1997 1,000 Guineas on Sleepytime.

Champion Jockey: Six times in 1997-98-99-01-02-03.

Derby Wins: Oath (1999) Kris Kin (2003) North Light (2004.)

Previous jobs: First jockey to Henry Cecil (1997-99) Michael Stoute (1999-2005).