Coolmore Stand By Their Man

Coolmore reaffirmed their support for troubled rider Kieren Fallon yesterday.

The six-time champion jockey tested positive for a metabolite of a prohibited substance after he rode Ivan Denisovich in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on July 9.

France Galop's ban begins on December 7 and is likely to be reciprocated in Ireland ? Fallon's homeland and base of the powerful Coolmore operation.

The 41-year-old is also suspended from riding in Britain after he was charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers.

But Michael Tabor, one of the Coolmore partners, insists the powerful operation will continue to pledge their allegiances to Fallon.

Tabor told The Independent: 'We remain very supportive of Kieren. We always have been and we still are.

'Obviously people are talking ? everyone seems to have a point of view ? but I can assure you we are unanimous.

'Nothing has changed. We just have to get on with it.

'For me, he's the best around. I just hope he is able to stay around. Only time will tell.

'We feel very sympathetic. If we didn't it would be over.

'But we do and that's the beginning and end of it.'

(C) PA Sport