But he marked his fourth championship by scoring on 7-2 shot Conquestadora on the final day of the flat turf season.

That meant Fallon finished eight winners clear of Darley, who drew a blank on the last turf card until the next March's Lincoln meeting.

The Irishman was officially crowned champion in a ceremony after the fourth race on Town Moor, in which he was presented with a specially-commissioned trophy by Darley himself.

He ended the campaign on 166 winners - compared to his previous winning totals of 202 (1997), 204 (1998) and 202 (1999).

His title success is a perfect rebuff to critics who claimed in the spring that he had lost some of his strength when he made his comeback from the serious shoulder injury which cost him the chance to retain the crown last year.

Reflecting on his battle with Darley, Fallon, who was also celebrating his wedding anniversary, said: "It has been exciting for the public. The three previous years I won I was quite a bit in front but the bit of competition has made it interesting this year.

"It has been a great battle all the way through and when my lead went down from 25 to eight I thought it was going to slip away, Kevin was riding really well.

"It has been a pretty good season. Highlights would be being here today getting this trophy, winning the Guineas on Golan and the Eclipse on Medicean."

Fallon, who will ride in Japan this winter, will be a freelance next season after the end of his retainer with Sir Michael Stoute.

But he said: "I am looking forward to next season. There are plenty of trainers I can ride for and I hope I can pick up where I left off.

"When you win something you always want to hold it and let's hope I am standing here next year."