Callan and Sanna Rejected by HKJC from Riding Bahrain Representative in Champion Mile

Neil Callan - 3 Time Bahrain Champion Jockey

Following the Hong Kong Jockey Club's decision to disallow Alberto Sanna, a former Hong Kong jockey now based in Qatar, from riding Goeman in the Champion Mile. Neil Callan, another former Hong Kong jockey, was also denied after the connections were notifed of the decision.

Speaking to Madhorse668 and Racing USB yesterday, Callan recounted, "Someone mentioned to me that the ride on Goeman might come up available in Hong Kong because Alberto Sanna was banned. So basically, I thought he was based in Qatar that he might not be able to ride the horse after being suspended, maybe in Qatar, and that the ride was going to be offered to me. And then the connections asked me would I ride the horse and I said, 'Of course yes it'd be great to represent Bahrain and more importantly it would be really nice to go back and see all the Hong Kong fans who have supported me over the 10 years that I was racing there.' And so it kind of seemed a nice fit and so that was it. They were going to book me to ride, and then they called me back and said that they were told that I was banned from Hong Kong. "

"I am not banned from anywhere in the world. I can ride anywhere in the world. I have been riding in Bahrain and I am riding in England everyday!" Callan stated emphatically. "So I couldn't quite gather or fathom when he meant by 'banned'? Therefore then I wasn't obviously going to go and ride him."

He continued, "I left there with no problems whatsoever, and I was very grateful for the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a club to give me that opportunity to be able to come back. But unbeknownst to me, there are certain individuals in management somewhere, I don't know where, who obviously have a grudge or something or some issue for them not to license me. So, I don't really know and nobody has come forward with any statement or answers to me or to anyone. And I find it's not very fair on Hong Kong - the people, the racing fans and the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a Club. They have a big day coming up, and they should not be seeing bad press running around. It should be a day of celebration (FWD Champions Day) for lots of international guests coming to run in the big races"

"I left Hong Kong on very good terms. So I don't really see what the issue was. But anyway it's not for me to explain but I was happy to and so looking forward to come to Hong Kong because it would have been nice to come back and see the racing fans. And the people of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, certain individuals that have to answer the question."

When asked who the possible rider for Goeman would be, Callan said the connections have informed him that Kevin Stott will now be booked for the ride.

He continued, "I felt bad more because it would have been nice to go back and see the racing fans. Because they're what make Hong Kong racing. They have been behind me from day one and they're the one that gave me the nickname 'Iron Man'. And they're the one - the racing fans - that drove me to improve and get better in Hong Kong, and be successful as I was."

When asked if he had any message to racing fans in Hong Kong and his supporters, Callan said, "To all the racing fans and the Hong Kong Jockey Club as an organization, charitable organization, I'm sorry that I can't be there. I was really looking forward to when I got the word that I could be. And it was really making me excited to come and mix with you one more time. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen, so I feel sorry for the fans."

Full interview can be found below:

(Source: Yau Tat Racing Channel)

(22/4/2025)