-
Kieren Fallon - Source: Reuters
Former champion jockey Kieren Fallon was assaulted by the owner of a rival horse in a fracas after the second race at Lingfield Park on Sunday, said a statement from the stewards.
The incident, which has been reported to the British Horseracing Authority, happened when Fallon was unsaddling from his mount Elna Bright.
The 5-1 chance had finished last of 10 after being struck into by another horse early on and losing his action.
The incident in the unsaddling enclosure involved David Reynolds, the joint-owner of 3-1 favourite The Scorching Wind, who finished second last after struggling in the rear throughout.
Elna Bright's owner Peter Crate told the Sporting Life website (www.sportinglife.com): "He (Reynolds) came at Fallon like a whirlwind and struck him on the side of the face.
"I got in there with (trainer) Brett Johnson and he caught me too, before the racecourse security stepped in."
Part of the stewards' inquiry report read: "It had been alleged that David Reynolds, the part owner of The Scorching Wind, had assaulted Fallon and Crate and been involved in a fracas with Johnson."
It added: "The stewards subsequently called before them Reynolds, who admitted to assaulting Fallon and being involved in a fracas with Crate and Johnson.
"Having heard evidence from the various parties, the stewards referred the matter to the British Horseracing Authority."
The 45-year-old Fallon completed his three other rides for the afternoon, winning on one of them.
The Irishman returned to race riding only last September after serving an 18-month drugs ban. In 2007 he was cleared at the Old Bailey in a high-profile race-fixing trial.
