Fallon banned for positive drug test

Leading Irish jockey Kieren Fallon has been banned from riding in France for six months after testing positive to a prohibited substance.

The ban stems from a sample given by the jockey when he was in France to ride Ivan Denisovich at Chantilly on July 9.

Fallon is best known to Australian audiences for riding the third favourite in this year's Melbourne Cup, champion stayer Yeats, to a disappointing finish.

"I can confirm that Kieren Fallon has been banned for six months over a positive doping test," a spokeswoman for the French racing authority said.

"There will be no further details revealed on the matter today," she added.

The racing authority announced that the jockey's ban will start on December 7, subject to appeal.

The ban is the latest in a string of blows for the Irishman, the six-times champion jockey was banned from riding in Britain in July when he was charged by police with conspiracy to defraud in a betting scam.

Earlier this week he was refused permission to ride in Hong Kong where he had been hoping to partner 2005 English St Leger winner Scorpion in the Hong Kong Vase on December 10.

Since the ban in Britain, Fallon has continued to ride regularly in Ireland, France and Germany and has also taken part in races in Turkey.

-Reuters