Jockey Noel Callow has been banned and fined after betting over £2000 on horse racing in the space of one week. Callow is a well-respected name in the sport, having won five Group 1 races and and over £22.5 million in career winnings.
However is reputation has been dealt a huge blow after failing to declare his betting accounts. The 47-year-old placed 24 bets totalling £2,240 in December 2013, and made a profit of £672.
Following his breach Callow has been banned from competing on the track for three months, and has also been ordered to pay a fine of £2,500.
The investigation found the jockey failed to declare his accounts to stewards on three separate occasions while riding in Victoria. As a result, the Australian was handed three separate fines of £840 for the breaches, and had his three-month ban suspended for a year.
Callow's legal team pleaded that the 47-year-old had not made a racing bet for nine years, but this however did not stand for judge John Bowman. The judge said: "At the time of committing these offences you were experienced and well known.
"You must have known that what you were doing breached the rules, which were designed to protect the image of racing. None of the bets were on horses you were riding or on races in which you were riding.
"We take into account the fact you pleaded guilty and have no relevant prior convictions. We also bear in mind the offences occurred nine years ago. We are both hopeful and confident that this will not occur again."
As well as being a well-renowned jockey, Callow also holds a position as a groundsman at Gold Coast Turf Club. However it is understood that the 47-year-old's banning order will not affect his grounds work role.
