Racing: Fallon reaches double century

KIEREN FALLON joined an elite band of jockeys as he secured his 200th success of the season at Musselburgh yesterday. The 33-year-old Irishman reached the target when the 1-2 chance Single Shot easily won the maiden race and he joins Fred Archer, Sir Gordon Richards and Frankie Dettori as the only jockeys to ride two double centuries.

Fallon, riding for the final time on the turf in Britain this season, said: "It's a great relief to have got it over with. Two years ago I could never have imagined achieving something like this.

"Going through the formbook I didn't think Single Shot deserved to be odds-on but he was as good as gold during the race."

Fallon, set to be crowned champion again when the turf season ends on Saturday, said: "There have been so many highlights this season. I had excellent meetings - especially at Royal Ascot, Goodwood and York. But I suppose the one that sticks most in my mind this year is the victory of Tuning in the Ebor."

Fallon may be firmly established as Britain's leading rider but there is little chance of him resting on his laurels. "I still have loads of ambitions," he said. "I'd like to win the Derby, of course, and each season I set out to beat my previous best total, although it seems to get harder and harder."

Fallon notched 202 wins last year and equalled that tally yesterday when completing a 32-1 treble on Raneen Nashwan and Holy Smoke.