In many ways, and with the Hong Kong Jockey Club having a simulcast from Royal Ascot on what would normally have been a race night at Happy Valley was pretty karmic when former Hong Kong based rider- the popular Neil Callan aka “Iron Man”- won the last race of the card aboard 40/1 outsider Rising Star trained by his longtime friend Marco Botti.
It should be remembered that “Iron Man”, who rode in Hong Kong for seven full seasons, had a particularly hard time when being handed down a controversial 15 meeting suspension for, apparently, a temper tantrum and using various well-known Irish expletives. It was deemed conduct unbecoming.
While all this was unraveling, the Irishman had already decided to pack up and return to the UK with his family, despite coming back after his suspension riding winners with support from many trainers, especially Tony Cruz.
His decision to leave meant escaping any further inner turmoil by being cooped up in the ongoing and farcical “racing bubble”.
Well done, Neil Callan!
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