A renowned jockey is under scrutiny following an incident where he was heard making racially charged comments in public. Noel Callow, known as ‘the King’, boasts a remarkable track record with over 2,000 victories, including five at the prestigious Group 1 level, amassing earnings exceeding £20 million in Australia.
This investigation comes on the heels of a recent suspension imposed on Callow after he was involved in a physical altercation with another jockey, resulting in a two-month ban due to a concussion suffered during the confrontation earlier this year. The Australian racing publication, Racenet, reported that video footage, believed to be from last year, showing the jockey making racist remarks is currently under review by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
Confirming the ongoing investigation, a spokesperson from the QRIC stated, “A video was recently brought to the attention of the Commission and is presently the subject of an investigation.” Racenet has viewed two video clips, one of which captures an encounter where Callow is heard making derogatory remarks towards an indigenous man.
In the footage, Callow can be heard making offensive comments about the man’s hygiene and living situation, offering him pizza in exchange for taking a shower. The exchange escalates with the man expressing his desire for a beer instead. Callow’s response to the man’s lack of access to a shower further exacerbates the situation.
Additionally, in a separate clip, Callow, carrying a whip, is seen cycling on the sidewalk behind pedestrians, making inappropriate remarks towards them. The jockey’s use of offensive language and behavior in both instances is now under thorough investigation by the racing integrity authorities.
This incident has raised concerns within the racing community regarding Callow’s conduct and the need for accountability in addressing such behavior.