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.
Neil Callan committed his horse for home at Kempton – with a circuit still to go
The 50-1 shot Ballet Blanc shot clear inside the ‘final’ furlong
Callan looked around in horror after pulling up as the other runners continued the 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.