6-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon gets license to return after doping ban for cocaine

Kieren Fallon returns to racing after doping ban

LONDON — Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon returns to racing Friday after being granted a license to ride for the first time in three years following a ban for cocaine use.

Although the 44-year-old Fallon was cleared in a race-fixing trial in late 2007, he was unable to compete because of an 18-month doping suspension imposed in January 2008 by the governing body of racing in France.

With the ban over, the British Horseracing Authority granted him a license Tuesday and Fallon has rides at Lingfield and Kempton on Friday. Fallon, a three-time English Derby winner, four-time 2,000 Guineas winner and two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, last rode in July 2006.