Racing: FALLON BOOZE BATTLE

CHAMPION flat jockey Kieren Fallon had admitted he has a drink problem and is receiving treatment in an Irish clinic.

The 37-year-old Irishman is undergoing a 30 day programme and has vowed never to drink again after it threatened to destroy his family life and his career.

He said that although he rode 150 winners last year his enthusiasm was draining away.

"I realised alcohol was taking the enjoyment away and for me, the important thing was to recognise this before it got too late.

"What I have seen is the misery. The misery of the life I've had and the stupid things I was doing.

"The waste of time, the waste of opportunity. Everything should have been so much better.

"It has been a rude awakening. Since I have come here I've had time to think. When you get away from the racing world I move in and you look at it from a distance it looks miserable."

Fallon has been visited inside the clinic by his wife Julie. They have three children.

He told The Sunday Times:"I knew if I didn't change my ways I was going to miss seeing our kids growing up.

"You come home late in the evening, you've had a few drinks on the way, you're tired and don't have much time for the kids. And you are actually thinking about having another drink."

Fallon, who has a string of Classic victories to his name including the 1999 Derby on Oath, has been champion jockey for five of the past six years and was only denied a sixth consecutive title by a bad fall at royal Ascot in 2000.

His decision to seek help from a clinic in Ireland was backed by Sir Michael Stoute who trains many of the horses ridden by the jockey.

Copyright 2003 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.