'It's something I never thought I'd do' - Callan banned for Kempton 'cock-up'

Jockey Neil Callan has apologised for the "complete cock-up" that led to him being suspended for 12 days after riding a finish a circuit too early at Kempton on Wednesday evening.

The 44-year-old was riding 50-1 shot Ballet Blanc, trained by Amanda Perrett, in the 2m handicap (8.30), but mistakenly sent his mount for home with a circuit still to go.

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

Callan's 12-day suspension rules him out between November 9-12, November 14-19, November 26 and November 28.

'I held my hands up straight away'

The jockey said on Thursday morning: "I made a mistake – it was a complete cock-up. I watched the replay back [with the stewards] and held my hands up straight away.

"I've contacted Amanda to tell me the cost of what entry fees were and I will pay it. It's something I never thought I'd do in my career."

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

"After being interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, the rider was suspended for 12 days."

A beaming Neil Callan secured the Silver Saddle at the Shergar Cup at Ascot this summerCredit: Edward Whitaker

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.

In a Racing Post interview published in July, Callan said: "It was an amazing experience for my family growing up in Hong Kong and it's something I'll never regret doing.

"It's been great for every aspect of my career and family life, but I'm happy to be home and I think you can see that in the way I'm riding."

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 Sun Chariot Stakes 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.

How the incident unfolded

Neil Callan pushes out Ballet Blanc having mistakenly sent his mount for home too early

Callan crosses the line some way clear of Tribal Commander with a full circuit still to run

Callan looks round, realising his error. His mount was tailed off, beaten some 115 lengths

The in-running comment

Ballet Blanc

Prominent, pushed along to lead after 3f then jockey rode finish circuit too soon, headed and chased leader after 6f, weakened from 6f out

Read these next:

Back with a bang: old allies Callan and Ryan land Sun Chariot with Fonteyn

Neil Callan: 'The problem's obvious but no-one gives a s*** about owners, trainers, jockeys' (£)

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