THREE-TIME DERBY winner Kieren Fallon looks set to miss his ride on Recital in today’s Epsom Derby after an injunction preventing his participation was granted following a hearing by the London court of appeal this morning.
Yesterday, the High Court rejected a petition from the owners of Native Khan, another contender in today’s flat classic, who argued that the jockey’s decision to choose Recital over their horse amounted to a breach of contract.
Fallon, they told the court, had a standing agreement that he would ride their horse as required and not ride any horse against him in a major race.
“There is nothing special about the world of racing that entitles the major players to act in flagrant breach of contract,” said Lord Justice Jackson in reversing the decision on appeal this morning.
Offaly jockey Pat Smullen now looks likely to ride Recital in this afternoon’s race which goes to post at 16:00.
