Kieren Fallon's final ride as stable jockey for Henry Cecil ended in disappointment when Endorsement could manage only sixth place behind Bimbola in the Group Two Prix de Pomone at Deauville yesterday. Fallon attempted to make all on the Queen's Vase winner but was swallowed up early in the straight and finished around eight lengths behind Bimbola.

The champion jockey reported after the race that the filly "whistled".

Fallon has made it clear that, following his sacking by Cecil over personal reasons, he would be keen to ride for another big stable.

He said: "No decisions yet. There are discussions going on."

Freddy Freedman, representing Endorsement's owners, the Cliveden Stud, added that they would have no objection to Fallon riding their horses again.

He said: "I would be very happy for Kieren Fallon to ride for us in the future, but it is up to the trainer."

News that Michael Stoute was losing stable jockey Gary Stevens after just two months led to speculation that his yard could be Fallon's next port of call. But Stoute played down the reports Fallon may take over from the American.

Stoute said: "Where my yard is concerned I need to speak to my patrons and there is no big rush."

A hint that Fallon may be poised to replace Stevens came when the Clareman was declared to ride Stoute's Water Echo in the EBF Vyner Novice Stakes at Ripon today. On his first day as a freelance Fallon also rides the John Hillstrained Time Mill against Cecil's Galette (Willie Ryan) in the Finlay Maiden Stakes.

Fallon, however, wasn't giving much away as regards his future and a possible link up with Stoute.

He added: "I ride a nice horse for the Niarchos family at Ripon on Monday, but there is no more to say about my future at this stage."

Stevens has confirmed racing's worst kept secret by announcing he is set to return to the USA - as had been widely rumoured, the Californian has signed a contract to ride for Prince Ahmed Salman's Thoroughbred Corporation.

He created a highly-favourable impression during his stint in this country, riding 32 winners, and Stoute said: "He is going and it is very disappointing. He will leave in late-August but he will ride as normal until then.