In the blood: how Cieren Fallon made an instant impact from a standing start

If your dad is Kieren Fallon, a future career in the saddle would seem a given to the outsider looking in. Cieren Fallon may have followed in his father's footsteps but that is only half the story.

At Ascot's Qipco Champions Day meeting on Saturday Fallon jnr will be crowned champion apprentice, having only ridden his first winner just over a year ago.

It is a rapid rise to prominence, one made all the more impressive by the fact Cieren Fallon had not sat on a horse until two years ago.

While his dad was in his pomp winning multiple British jockeys' championships and big races, Cieren Fallon was literally in his infancy.

Although he did go to the racecourse on occasion when he was younger, racing was only recently on Cieren Fallon's radar.

After trying his hand at other sports such as football and rugby, the then 17-year-old Fallon opted to pursue the same career as his dad. That decision has quickly been vindicated, while Fallon has brought himself up to speed on his dad's riding achievements.

Champion apprentice elect Cieren FallonCredit: Edward Whitaker

At a press event last week, the 20-year-old admitted: “I never watched my dad ride while I was growing up as I was at boarding school in Wales and have only watched his big winners on YouTube in recent years."

However, once he surprised his parents and decided to take the plunge on the Flat, Fallon's progress has been astonishing.

A first winner was achieved on his third ride when partnering 25-1 shot Plucky Dip at Leicester last September for John Ryan, and by the end of November a further three successes were added to leave Fallon with four winners for 2018.

Returning to action in February, Fallon kept his hand in with a couple of winners each month, but when the Flat season hit its busy period in high summer, the jockey went into overdrive.

An extremely healthy return of 16 winners in July was followed by 11 in August and 15 last month, enabling Fallon to sprint past Sean Davis into pole position in the apprentice title race.

Highlights during a sensational summer included victory aboard Time To Study in Haydock's Old Borough Cup, while only three parts of a length separated Fallon and Red Galileo from what would have been a massive moment in the Ebor at York, with the pair instead having to settle for second behind Mustajeer.

Red Galileo (left) finishing second in the Ebor at YorkCredit: Mark Cranham

While attached to the William Haggas stable, there has been no shortage of other yards keen to employ Fallon's services, and he has already ridden winners for nearly 30 different trainers.

Only two winners have been banked this month, but with 50 winners for the title-eligible period, Fallon has comfortably secured his maiden championship, leading Davis, who has rides at Newcastle on Friday evening, by eight winners.

All this has been achieved ahead of schedule, with a title bid not slated until next year.

"It's been a surprise as this year was meant to be a quiet season learning the trade and the tracks, and next year we were going to go for the apprentice title," Fallon said last month.

What has already been a year to remember could be capped in style at Ascot, with Fallon booked for Commander Cole in the closing Balmoral Handicap. However the Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old does need to show a liking for testing ground.

Once the Flat season is finished a well-earned holiday awaits, before a winter spent in New York learning from trainer Christophe Clement rather than riding on the all-weather in Britain.

He may have a long way to go to match his father's exploits in the saddle, but the apple does not appear to have fallen far from the tree and Cieren Fallon could become a household name. Just like his dad.

Get ahead of the game with Get Your Eye In - exclusive Saturday preview content on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app from 2pm on Friday