Jockey banned for fighting rival after five-word taunt sparked post-race scrap
Jockey Noel Callow has been handed a three-month suspension following a brawl he initiated with a fellow rider.
The legendary Australian rider, nicknamed 'The King', has won more than 2,000 races, including five at Group 1 level, earning over £20million in his homeland.
The 50-year-old pleaded guilty to improper conduct after getting into a scrap in the male jockeys' room at Doomben, Queensland last month.
Callow was taken to the hospital after showing signs of concussion, which caused stewards to adjourn their inquiry on the day of the incident.
When the investigation resumed, it emerged that the altercation started when Callow stood too close to Kyle Wilson-Taylor during weigh-in.
Wilson-Taylor had to shove him aside to leave the scales, warning Callow: "I'm not scared of you", per the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards' report.
Callow then followed Wilson-Taylor into the changing room and "made aggressive contact" from behind, sparking "a physical altercation."
The scuffle saw both men hit the deck, with Wilson-Taylor landing two blows to Callow's head while on top of him before they were separated. Despite the tussle, only Callow faced charges for behaviour detrimental to the interests of racing.
Callow's solicitor informed the panel that the confrontation was brief, lasting just 15 or 20 seconds, and happened away from public view.
His counsel argued it was a "momentary loss of temper", "out of character over recent times" and "unlikely to be repeated."
Callow had issued an apology and was pursuing anger management guidance. The disciplinary panel deduced that Callow was the primary provocateur in the altercation and, whilst there was existing tension between the two, it didn't justify his behaviour.
The findings highlighted: "Offences of this nature are unacceptable and cannot be condoned by the industry or industry regulators, in this case QRIC stewards."
Callow received a three-month ban, which will be reduced to two provided he visits a sports psychologist and completes an anger management programme during his suspension.
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