In Kieren Fallon, diminutive even for a jockey, Flat racing has its own "Black Prince", a man who has married the highs of winning the sport's greatest prizes with a series of lurid tabloid headlines and allegations. He returned to the UK tracks in September 2009, after three years of legal and drug problems that had seemed set to end his time on the turf. Despite his troubles, he remains a punter's favourite, and his comeback in September 2009 was met with a fanfare rarely associated with the latter-day racing scene.

Wherever Fallon is, there is usually a story though the shy softly-spoken Irishman, who hails from County Clare, would prefer to concentrate on the job of winning races. He has rarely been granted, or indeed granted himself, such peace of mind.

His charge and subsequent acquittal for race-fixing, a case that eventually collapsed in October 2007 after three years of investigations by newspapers, racing authorities and City of London police, is by no means the only shadow of doubt to be cast on the six-times British Champion jockey.

He has ridden for several of the sport's top trainers, enjoying fruitful partnerships with Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute and Aiden O'Brien and has a wonderful haul of Classic races, including three Epsom Derby wins, a four-timer for the Oaks, four wins each in both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas and two Arc de Triomphe wins.

Along with an almost pathological bravery and sense of a race's rhythm, Fallon's qualities as a rider are said to draw from his comfort with the horses themselves, a relationship he has usually found easiest amid a career of fall-outs and rows with the game's human operatives. Indeed, Fallon's first headlines came when he received a six-month ban for dragging fellow jockey Stuart Webster off a horse after the finish of a race at Beverley in 1994.

The race-fixing case was by no means his first brush with the law courts. In 1998, he was at the centre of a libel case which focused on an article in the Sporting Life newspaper which alleged he had stopped a horse, Top Cees, in a 1995 race at Newmarket to draw out the odds for the same horse's subsequent run in the Chester Cup the same year. The horse's trainers, Jack and Lynda Ramsden, won their case against Sporting Life, which folded as a result of the legal costs incurred.

Fallon's fall out with Cecil halfway through the 1998 season came amid tabloid allegations of extra-marital affairs and, while with Stoute, he suffered a shoulder injury at Royal Ascot in 2000 that looked likely to end his career. In typical style he soon returned to win three jockeys' championships and a Derby double but his most serious problems began with his ride of Ballinger Ridge in a minor race at Lingfield, where, when a distance ahead, he eased off and was beaten on the line by the race favourite. From there, a series of allegations were made about his relationship with professional gambler Miles Rodgers, and criminal charges resulted in July 2006. That led to his UK jockey licence being revoked until the case reached its conclusion.

In November 2006 came a ban for testing positive for cocaine while riding in France. On the completion of that ban in July 2007 he returned to racing in France and Ireland, and pulled off perhaps his greatest triumph in riding Coolmore horse Dylan Thomas to victory in the Arc De Triomphe. The typically courageous ride came under the pressure of knowing his court case began in London the very next day.

The pattern of disaster being coupled triumph followed after the trial had collapsed and Fallon had been acquitted of all charges. It was quickly revealed that he would have to serve another 18-month ban for cocaine use, a test again failed in France when riding the unfortunately named Myboycharlie in August 2007.

Fallon's eventual return to UK tracks came at Lingfield, of all places, on September 4, 2009. He had spent his ban riding out for a number of trainers, including Stoute. Typically, his return to action brought a top-grade win in riding Gitano Hernando in the Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita, California and, at 44, he set out his ambition to once again be Champion Jockey. The "Sport of Kings" had welcomed back "King Kieren" with open arms.

Career High As a sign-off to potential oblivion, perhaps only Fallon would have had the force of will to deliver Dylan Thomas to victory in the 2007 Arc with the spectre of a ruinous court case hanging over him. As ever, the victory was bittersweet, but the timing was exquisite.

Career Low Fallon's troubles began in earnest at Lingfield Park on Ballinger Ridge, the race at the centre of the legal case brought against him. From there began a spiral of tabloid tales, bans and personal problems.

Quotes "I'm not that crazy. I'm not like Kieren, I've got less bottle than him." Frankie Dettori, 2007.

Trivia During the Old Bailey trial in 2007, it was revealed that Fallon, while admitting to police his regular contact with punters asking for tips, said that England striker Michael Owen would text him every day for tips.