Kieren Fallon pessimistic about his Ballydoyle job chances

Kieren Fallon, second-favourite in the betting on Aidan O'Brien's next jockey, takes a much more pessimistic view of his chances than the market. Quoted in today's Racing Post, Fallon has said: "I haven't spoken to Aidan for six months and I don't believe I'm in contention." Fallon rode for O'Brien and the powerful Coolmore organisation for three years from 2005, during which time he racked up two lengthy suspensions for failing raceday drug tests. The second ban, which prevented him from race-riding anywhere in the world for 18 months, effectively ended his employment at Ballydoyle. But O'Brien was supportive of Fallon in his few public comments on the matter and the pair enjoyed much success together, from a Guineas double at Newmarket in 2005 to the Arc with Dylan Thomas in 2008. Fallon will turn 46 before the start of the next Flat season, making him a very senior figure in the weighing room. There was widespread scepticism in spring when he spoke of his determination to challenge for the jockeys' championship but, although he was never in contention, his strike-rate peaked at an impressive 25% through August and September. Christophe Soumillon remains the 13-8 favourite to be O'Brien's next stable jockey following Johnny Murtagh's resignation, despite the cold water poured on the idea earlier this week by his agent in Britain, Shippy Ellis, who pointed out that the jockey has a young family in France that he would not wish to uproot. Soumillon is in South Africa, competing against Fallon in a jockeys' competition, and has declined to comment. Colm O'Donoghue, one of O'Brien's strong supporting cast of riders, is 9-2 to get the top job, while the bookmakers offer 10-1 about Ryan Moore, who is already rumoured to have told the Coolmore partners that he is not interested in the job.