Jockey Noel Callow loses appeal to have 10-month ban overturned

Last month, Queensland stewards handed Callow two five-month disqualifications to be served cumulatively after the five-time Group 1-winning jockey pleaded guilty to two charges of conduct detrimental to the interests of racing, after videos of Callow ridiculing an Indigenous man in Darwin last year surfaced.

During the hearing, Callow’s legal counsel Matthew Stirling argued that a “four to six-week” penalty was appropriate before stewards handed down the monster 10-month ban.

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The severity of the disqualification was at the heart of Callow’s appeal bid on Monday with Stirling arguing that the “penalty was excessive in the circumstances and far beyond the established tariff for such conduct (racist remarks) where racing participants have regularly been suspended for four to six weeks”.

Stirling also argued that the penalty in relation to charge one “should have been a fine because the statements were rude and offensive, rather than being racist and derogatory.”

• Noel Callow slapped with monster ban over ‘racially charged’ video rant

Stirling also asked the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel (QRAP) to consider Callow’s remorse, his efforts at rehabilitation and his positive attempts to address personal problems which existed at the time of the offending when handing down their decision.

In response, Jim Murdoch KC, representing the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), submitted that the serious nature of the offences meant a significant penalty is necessary for the maintenance of public confidence in the industry.

And the Appeals Panel ultimately agreed, upholding the original decision by stewards to ban Callow for a 10-month period.

“The comments made by the Applicant were derogatory and humiliating and they had undoubted racist overtones,” the decision read.

“By its very nature, such conduct is to be deprecated and must be denounced. Alcohol was no doubt an influencing factor, particularly in relation to the second incident in time.

“That may go some way to explaining, though not excusing, the conduct.

“As the stewards properly recognised, it is a feature of aggravation that the events were recorded and “published’ by the applicant.

“Thoroughbred racing relies heavily on the confidence of the public and industry stakeholders.

“When racist or other offensive behaviour is recorded and widely circulated, it has the capacity to undermine that confidence.”

The decision comes after Racenet revealed last week that Queensland stewards had launched a fresh investigation into Callow after the emergence of another video in which he allegedly uses a racist slur towards an Indigenous man.

No charges have been laid.

Originally published as Jockey Noel Callow loses appeal to have 10-month ban overturned