Two of the biggest riding talents of their generation will launch a new racing venture next week as Darryll Holland prepares to embark on a second career as a trainer, with no less a man than Kieren Fallon as his assistant.
The two former rivals are set to join forces as license-holder and right-hand man at Holland's Harraton Court Stables in Exning near Newmarket, which has 50 boxes.
"We've got a wealth of experience—about 70 years between us can you believe?—so if we can't find a few winners there's something wrong," said Holland.
Holland purchased Harraton Court, the former base of Royal Ascot-winning trainer Hugh Collingridge, and which was also home to the 1905 Derby winner Cicero, in 2008.
The new team is set to begin sending out runners next month and, with the financial security of owning his own yard and owners attracted by the two men's glittering CVs, Holland is in a better position to launch than many aspiring trainers in the current economy.
"We've got a mixture of horses and hopefully we'll kick off with about 20," said Holland. "We've got plenty of potential owners on board and I can't wait for the breeze-ups so we can go and source some more nice stock."
Holland rode major winners in virtually every major racing jurisdiction across the world, with the 48-year-old having concentrated on the Far East and North America in recent years.
His career highlights included a trio of domestic group 1 triumphs in 2003 aboard Falbrav in the Coral Eclipse Stakes, the Juddmonte International Stakes, and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Fallon, 55, rode the last of his ten seasonal centuries in 2011 and enjoyed a glittering career in the saddle with six jockeys' titles, 16 British classics and six more in his native Ireland. He won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere (G1) aboard Hurricane Run in 2005 and again two seasons later on Dylan Thomas.
In recent years he has ridden work for a number of major training set-ups including Godolphin, while he has also played the role of mentor to his dual-champion apprentice son Cieren.
Last season Fallon became the first jockey to land back-to-back apprentice titles since Gary Bardwell in 1988 and will be a regular fixture on the Holland horses.
Holland said: "Obviously he has got his commitments with Qatar Racing (as second jockey) but if the opportunity arises and he's available, young Cieren is a good jockey and I'm sure he'll listen to the orders with his dad being here."
At the other end of the experience range Holland will also be calling on the services of Frankie Dettori, who preceded him as champion apprentice by two seasons.
"Frankie did us a really nice video with a good luck message," said Holland. "He's been a pal of mine for years and I sat next to him in the weighing room when I was in the UK.
"I've told him I won't put him on any slow ones, only the 4-5 shots!"
Paddy Power offer 40-1 about the Harraton Court team sending out a Royal Ascot winner this year and 66-1 that they will celebrate a group 1 winner in 2021. The same firm offer 150-1 that Holland lands a classic before the end of 2022.
