Jockey free to resume Hong Kong career

Neil Callan is free to return to race riding at Sha Tin on May 30 after the stewards of the Jockey Club slashed the 28-meeting ban that looked to have ended the jockey’s career in the jurisdiction.

Callan opted to appeal after his licence was suspended until the end of the season as the result of his conduct in a stewards’ inquiry at Happy Valley in February.

Initially set to miss the final 28 meetings of the season, Callan was successful in having his ban reduced to 15 meetings on Thursday afternoon and he can now compete at the final 13 meetings of 2020-21.

“The appeal panel carefully considered all the evidence taken in this case together with the further statements made at the hearing today,” the Jockey Club said in a statement.

“The panel allowed the appeal and adjusted the period of suspension so that it will now expire on 27 May 2021, on which day he may resume riding.”