Top jockey stood down as disturbing video of Noel Callow racially abusing Indigenous man emerges

News.com.au

3 days ago

WARNING: This article contains offensive language
Group 1-winning jockey Noel Callow has been charged by racing stewards and stood down from riding after a disturbing video emerged of him ridiculing an Indigenous man.
On Friday, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission charged the controversial jockey with two charges of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing, after a video of the 50-year-old, recorded in Darwin last year, surfaced online in which he filmed himself racially abusing Indigenous people.
The video shows Callow striking up a conversation with an Aboriginal man he passed on the street, offering him some pizza, before the seemingly friendly conversation turned offensive.
'What's doing, crackers?' Callow says, before asking, 'Have you showered? F*** you stink like f***.'
You can watch the video in the player above
The man says back, 'Nah, I haven't got a job (inaudible).'
'You stink like f***. Have some pizza. Take the pizza. Eat. Eat the pizza,' Callow continues.
'I don't want to eat,' the man responded.
'Have a shower then, do me a favour. Have a shower. You stink like f***,' Callow said.
The chat continues.
Man: '(inaudible) I sleep on the street.'
Callow: 'So you don't want a pizza … what do you want?'
Man: 'I want a beer.'
Callow: 'You want a beer … if you have a shower, I'll buy you a beer.'
Man: '(inaudible) I don't have a shower. There's no shower in the friggin area.'
Callow: 'Well, jump in the f---ing creek … for f--- sake man.'
And acting swiftly on Friday evening, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) stood the veteran hoop down effective immediately.
'The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) has today convened a Stewards' Inquiry and issued two charges under Australian Rule of Racing AR 228(a) against licensed jockey Mr Noel Callow,' a QRIC statement reads.
'The charges relate to conduct alleged to have occurred approximately one year ago while Mr Callow was not riding at, or attending, a race meeting and was not at any racecourse.
'It is alleged Mr Callow engaged in conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.
'Acting under AR 23(a), the Stewards have suspended Mr Callow's jockey licence in full, pending the outcome of the inquiry. Mr Callow has been informed of his right of appeal in respect of this decision.
'QRIC takes matters concerning conduct, welfare, and integrity seriously and will continue to ensure all participants are held to the highest professional and behavioural standards.'
Callow – with five Group 1s to his name in Australia – had only just returned to riding after being banned for a physical altercation with fellow Group 1 winning jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor in the jockeys' room during a race meeting in the Queensland winter carnival.
After more than two months out of the saddle, Callow made a winning return to racing this week when riding Stormfront to victory in Darwin for Gold Coast trainer Peter Robl.