Neil Callan

Neil Callan (born 1978) is a multiple Group 1-winning Irish jockey who has divided his career between Britain and Hong Kong.

Racing career Callan, who originates from County Kildare, was an apprentice in the yard of trainer Kevin Prendergast on The Curragh before moving to England in 1998. He established an association with trainers such as Karl Burke, Kevin Ryan and Michael Jarvis, and became champion apprentice with 56 winners in 1999.

He achieved his first Group win in July 2004 on Astrocharm in the Group 3 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood. In September 2005, Amadeus Wolf, trained by Ryan, provided him with his first Group 1 success when winning the Middle Park Stakes on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. A successful decade in Hong Kong included a number of big race victories. It was his last season riding in Hong Kong; he returned to England at the conclusion of the season, citing family reasons. He had won 283 races and over £37 million in prize money in 4,000 rides in Hong Kong.

On 1 October 2022, Callan had his first Group 1 win since returning to England, riding 16-1 chance Fonteyn, trained by Ryan, in the Sun Chariot Stakes. At Royal Ascot in 2023, Callan and Ryan again teamed up to land a Group 1 race with an unfancied runner, when Triple Time won the Queen Anne Stakes.

In March 2025, Callan received an eight-month suspension for inappropriate use of social media, including posts that were disrespectful to British Horseracing Authority (BHA) officials or prejudicial to British horseracing. The ban was suspended for two years, which meant that he could continue to ride in races. On 12 July 2025, Callan won the Group 1 July Cup on the July Course at Newmarket on 66-1 outsider, No Half Measures, the biggest-priced runner to win the race. It was the first Group 1 success for Richard Hughes as a trainer. After the race Callan said: "Last year was a bit of a struggle and this year's been a bit of a struggle, but you just wait for that one horse".

Personal life Callan is married to Trish, the granddaughter of Newmarket trainer David Ringer. The couple have three sons.

Major wins Great Britain Fillies' Mile - (1) - Hibaayeb (2009) July Cup - (1) - No Half Measures (2025) Middle Park Stakes - (1) - Amadeus Wolf (2005) Nunthorpe Stakes - (1) - Borderlescott (2009) Queen Anne Stakes - (1) - Triple Time (2023) Racing Post Trophy - (1) - Palace Episode (2005) Sun Chariot Stakes - (1) - Fonteyn (2022)

Germany Bayerisches Zuchtrennen - (1) - Pressing (2009)

Hong Kong Centenary Sprint Cup - (1) - Peniaphobia (2017) Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup - (2) - Blazing Speed (2014,2016) Queen Elizabeth II Cup - (1) - Blazing Speed (2015) Hong Kong Classic Mile - (1) - Beauty Only (2015)

Italy Gran Premio del Jockey Club - (1) - Rainbow Peak (2010) Premio Roma - (1) - Pressing (2007)

Performance at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Seasons Total Rides No. of Wins No. of 2nds No. of 3rds No. of 4ths Stakes won 2010/2011 121 5 10 7 5 HK$6,545,700 2013/2014 412 27 36 43 37 HK$38,526,375 2014/2015 520 47 45 49 44 HK$66,847,491 2015/2016 510 40 40 45 42 HK$57,645,225 2016/2017 541 47 51 48 42 HK$59,383,150 2017/2018 423 25 33 39 34 HK$36,670,300 2018/2019 428 17 39 43 35 HK$31,004,950 2019/2020 481 26 40 40 58 HK$42,185,220 2020/2021 416 28 30 38 32 HK$38,101,250