IT WAS a case of premature jock elation at Kempton after embarrassed Neil Callan rode the finish to a race a lap too soon.
The veteran rider was banned for 12 days and offered a grovelling apology after sending his horse Ballet Blanc for home at Kempton on the first circuit of a two-mile race.
The other jockeys looked on in bemusement as confused Callan booted his horse five or six lengths clear in what he thought was the final furlong.
Commentator Mark Johnston was equally taken by surprise, saying: “Ballet Blanc is clear by about five lengths but they still have got a circuit to go!”;
Callan then eased his horse down crossing the finishing line, believing he had pulled off a massive upset on his 50-1 shot.
But his joy turned to horror just a few seconds later as he watched the other jockeys set off on the second lap of the all-weather track.
Callan said: “I made a mistake – it was a complete cock-up. I watched the replay back [with the stewards] and held my hands up straight away.
“I’ve contacted Amanda (Perrett, trainer) to tell me the cost of what entry fees were and I will pay it.
“It’s something I never thought I’d do in my career.”;
The stewards report said: “Neil Callan, the rider of Ballet Blanc, unplaced, had appeared to ride a finish a circuit too soon.
“After being interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, the rider was suspended for 12 days.”;
There was an explosive reaction from fans on social media.
One said: “Oops – how on earth do you mix that up?”;
Another tweeted: “Poor Neil Callan but very funny nonetheless.”;
While another simply added: “Taxi for Callan!”;
Callan, who wrote for Sun Racing during the summer, has only recently returned to Britain after an 11-year stint in Hong Kong, where he rode 282 winners and was nicknamed ‘Iron Man’.
He rode a Group 1 winner at Newmarket earlier this month when outsider Fonteyn won the Sun Chariot Stakes.
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