NEWS broke earlier in the week that Kieren Fallon had called time on his successful, but turbulent and controversial, riding career because of on-going problems with depression, according to Turf Club chief medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick.

The six times British champion jockey, who is 51, has been riding in Ireland this season having linked up with Curragh trainer Michael O'Callaghan. He has not ridden since taking two rides at the Curragh on Irish Derby day late last month.

McGoldrick said: "Kieren is suffering from severe depression. When he came to me before getting his licence to ride this year it was clear he was suffering from depression and I treated him with anti-depressants.

"He told me that he hadn't intended to make a comeback, but decided to do so having been encouraged by Michael (O'Callaghan). But he rang me last week and said his situation had got worse. I met him on Sunday and he told me he didn't feel strong enough to speak to anyone in the media about his situation and asked me to speak on his behalf.

"He told me that he has lost the motivation to continue his riding career and wanted people to know about his decision to retire. He said it was time to move on once his depression has been managed.

"In recent years he found himself suffering from profound fatigue, but nothing physically wrong was found when doctors examined him."

Fallon, a popular jockey on the northern scene for many years, including this season when riding for Alan Swinbank, will leave some fantastic memories.

Ahead of a massive weekend, Karl Burke will be delighted to have been among the winners at Pontefract on Tuesday with Azzir in the concluding handicap.

The winner, who was third at Haydock on his seasonal debut last month, reaped the benefit of that run to go two places better under a confident ride by Clifford Lee.

"He's come on a lot for his run at Haydock and will come on a bit more again," said Burke.

"He'd probably prefer a little bit slower ground, but Cliff gave him a very good ride. I'm very lucky to have two excellent apprentices in Cliff and Jordan (Vaughan).

"Jordan won on him last year and could have ridden him today, but carrying 10st Cliff could claim his full 7lb, whereas Jordan could only claim 3lb. That was the reason Cliff rode him."

Burke has a big weekend ahead as he prepares to saddle his Royal Ascot heroine Quiet Reflection in the July Cup at Newmarket tomorrow.

He said: "She did her final little piece of work this morning. It was a little blow and she worked fantastic.

"It's going to be a tough assignment, but we've nothing to lose."

Closer to home, the two-day John Smiths Cup meeting gets underway at York today and tomorrow's feature looks as competitive as ever. A fascinating runner is Arthenus, who has already proved himself on the Knavemire, winning impressively last October.

He failed to land a blow on his first two starts of this campaign, but returned with a career best to finish fourth in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

The ground was officially soft at Ascot and trainer James Fanshawe is hoping there is some ease underfoot tomorrow.

Speaking on Wednesday evening, the Newmarket handler said: "The plan is to run. I am just hoping that the ground doesn't dry out too much as he very much likes to get his toe in. It doesn't have to be soft like it was at Ascot – just a little bit of ease.

"He ran a really good race in the Wolferton and has come out of the race well. He seems in good form and is the right type for a race like this.

"He has a bit of class, which you need for these big handicaps. He's well, I'm happy with him and now we need a bit of luck with the draw and the ground."

Arthenus is one of 51 horses currently engaged for the richest-ever running of the John Smiths Cup. The 57th renewal of the mile-and-a-quarter contest had its prize fund boosted by £50,000 this season, making it the richest middle-distance handicap in Britain.