Australian Group 1-winning rider handed three-month ban for betting offences

A jockey has been banned for three months and fined A$4,500 (£2,520) for placing a string of bets on races and failing to declare he had betting accounts to officials.

Noel Callow pleaded guilty to six betting-related charges at a Victorian Racing Tribunal hearing on Tuesday having placed 24 bets totalling A$4,000 (£2,240) and failing to declare his betting accounts to stewards on three separate occasions while riding in Victoria.

The 47-year-old received a A$1,500 (£840) penalty for each of the three betting infringements. He was suspended for three months, with an additional three months suspended for a year, for making misleading statements regarding his betting accounts.

Callow placed the bets during a one-week period in December 2013, profiting by approximately A$1,200 (£672). None of the bets was placed on races in which the jockey was riding.

Callow’s legal team also outlined how the rider had not placed a bet on thoroughbred racing in the last five years.

Judge John Bowman said: "At the time of committing these offences you were experienced and well known. You must have known that what you were doing breached the rules, which were designed to protect the image of racing.

"We take into account the fact you pleaded guilty and have no relevant prior convictions. We also bear in mind the offences occurred nine years ago. We are both hopeful and confident that this will not occur again."

Callow, a five-time Group 1-winning rider based in Queensland, also works as a groundsman at the Gold Coast Turf Club, a position that is not affected by his suspension.

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