Noel’s fifth Gr. 1 winner was Montoya’s Secret in the 2017 Vinery Stud Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
To describe Noel Callow as a “human headline” is probably a little over the top but he has certainly created a few in his time. As recently as last Saturday he was stood down by the Doctor following an incident in the barrier before the first race at the Gold Coast.
Noel talks of his snap decision to move to the Gold Coast two months ago after being embroiled in a couple of controversies in Melbourne. He hasn’t stopped riding winners since arriving in Queensland. He talks of the support he’s had from local trainers.
The jockey takes us back to childhood days in Adelaide and memories of his jockey father Kevin Callow who rode with great success as Noel was growing up.
The 46 year old talks of his initial apprenticeship to Pat Barnes and the long list of trainers for whom he worked over the next few years. Noel says some of those associations were brief because of his fiery nature.
He remembers his retirement at age 20 and his new job in a bottle shop. Callow talks of his brief stint as a jumps jockey and a nasty fall at Victoria Park.
Noel recalls his comeback at age 24 and the huge number of suspensions he incurred on the Victorian country and provincial circuit. He talks of the pristine diet he observes to this day.
The jockey talks of a sequence of major wins in Tasmania.
He pays tribute to his former manager Des O’Keefe and highlights his five Australian wins at Gr 1 level.
Noel has spent a lot of time in Asia. He looks back on experiences in Macau, Singapore and Mauritius. The latter stint ended unhappily.
He was happy to talk about a nightmare experience in Malaysia only four years ago. Intoxication resulted in his arrest at Kuala Lumpur airport as he was attempting to leave the country illegally.
Noel elaborates on a brush with stewards earlier this year when he was interrogated about Twitter comments which suggested he wasn’t fit to ride a short priced favourite at Kilmore.
He also gives his views on a suspension imposed when charged with not allowing a horse to run on its merits at Benalla.
Noel concludes with his views on Gold Coast racing going forward.
(Banner image - Montoya’s Secret was game in winning the Gr. 1 on a heavy track. The horse on the outside is 3rd placegetter Harlow Gold (Regan Bayliss) - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
Noel with Bruce McAvaney who headed up the Channel 7 coverage of the meeting 25/03/2017 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Noel with co-trainer Leon Corstens after the Vinery Stud Stakes win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Noel was a two time winner of the Victorian jockeys premiership early in his career. This was one of many winners in the early 2000s.
Noel’s father Kevin Callow was one of Adelaide’s most successful jockeys in the 1960s and 70s.
Noel would love to be the weight he was when this one was taken.