Soumillon rings O'Brien over forthcoming rides



by Brian Fleming



CHRISTOPHE SOUMILLON has made his services available to Ballydoyle for the coming season, according to Aidan O'Brien.

The Belgian superstar has had just one ride for O'Brien in the past five seasons, but that has not stopped him from putting forward his name while Kieren Fallon serves a six-month ban.

“He rang the other day and said he's only committed to riding for the Aga Khan and he's going to be available.”

Stable jockey Kieren Fallon is sidelined following a six-month illegal substance ban incurred in France last year but O'Brien is not unduly concerned.

“I don't think we've ever had as many jockeys at our disposal with the likes of Mick , Johnny and Pat Smullen. We also have Seamie and Colm riding our horses too so we have plenty to choose from,” he said.  

“A lot of jockeys are not tied down as much these days and are free which is good. We would have opinions that different jockeys suit different horses and regarding Christophe you'd be delighted to use him anywhere, not just France, if he suited.”

Kieren Fallon was on board Trinidad, still a maiden after two starts last October, in the first lot on Monday morning before teaming up with an unnamed Giant's Causeway two-year-old out of the dam Onima in the second lot of fifty horses.

O'Brien was fulsome with praise for Fallon, the former multiple British champion.

“Kieren should be back in the middle of the summer but he's keeping himself fit and out of trouble,” said O'Brien.

“He was away on holidays earlier this year but apart from that has been here the whole of the winter riding out every day.”

superstar ... :llll:

蘇銘倫..勁:eee:

My idol:aaa: :aaa: :gggg: :gggg: