Callan Banned 12 days for Finishing a Circuit Too Early

Jockey Neil Callan has been suspended for 12 days after riding a finish a circuit too early at Kempton Oct. 26.

The 44-year-old was riding 50-1 shot Ballet Blanc, trained by Amanda Perrett, in the 2-meter handicap, but mistakenly sent his mount for home with a circuit still to go.

The 3-year-old was ultimately beaten 115 and three-quarter lengths in a race won by the Roger Teal-trained favorite Blazeon Five under Lewis Edmunds, with World Without Love in second.

Callan's 12-day suspension will see him banned between Nov. 9-12, Nov. 14-19, Nov. 26, and Nov. 28.

The stewards report said: "Neil Callan, the rider of Ballet Blanc, unplaced, had appeared to ride a finish a circuit too soon.

Callan has only recently returned to Britain after an 11-year stint in Hong Kong, where he rode 282 winners and was nicknamed 'Iron Man'.

His final year in Hong Kong was surrounded in controversy, Callan having received a lengthy suspension for being disrespectful during a stewards' inquiry at Happy Valley in February 2021.

Callan, who has finished runner-up in two jockeys' championships (2005 and 2007), claimed his fifth group 1 just this month aboard Fonteyn  in the Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) at Newmarket.

He has enjoyed a strong season with 65 winners from 470 rides and bagged a Royal Ascot success on 40-1 shot Rising Star  in the Kensington Palace Stakes.

Callan also secured the Silver Saddle at the Shergar Cup with wins aboard Orbaan  and Adaay In Asia.