UK tyro making the most of limited chances after “ridiculous” new rule

1 month ago 14

By Craig Kerry

January 23, 2026 — 4.00pm

UK young gun Jack Callan says he is loving every minute of his stint in Sydney despite a new rule restricting overseas riders to metropolitan meetings, a change trainer Annabel Archibald labelled “ridiculous”.

The combination hopes to keep making the most of the situation when Callan rides Hellsing and Trapalanda at Randwick on Saturday.

Jack Callan after winning on Eye Of The Fire for the Archibalds at Randwick on January 3.

Callan, who turns 19 next Friday, is halfway through a two-month stay with Annabel and Rob Archibald before returning to Newmarket-based boss George Boughey to target the apprentices’ title.

The son of Irish group 1-winning jockey Neil Callan rode 50 winners in his first season before the maiden trip to Australia. Fellow UK riders Billy Loughnane, Harry Davies and Dylan Browne McMonangle came to Sydney for a summer stint riding at all levels a year ago but a Racing NSW rule change has meant Callan can only compete at city meetings.

A Racing NSW spokesperson said the relatively new rule, which has not been published, restricts overseas riders initially to the metropolitan areas. They are then assessed on a case-by-case basis and the restriction lifted if they stay full-time. Irish rider Adam Farragher, who came to NSW earlier in the season, is riding at all levels and hopes to carve out a career in Australia.

The change came after calls from the NSW Jockeys Association to protect the opportunities for local country and provincial riders.

Callan has had just 14 rides, but he has showcased his skills with wins on Eye Of The Fire for the Archibalds on January 3 at Randwick and Esmahli for Ben, Will and JD Hayes last Saturday at Rosehill.

Archibald said Callan should be allowed to ride at provincial level and claim more than the allotted 1.5 kilograms.

“He’s very talented and he’s not treated all that well here,” Archibald said.

“He’s had a few wins on the premier tracks [at home], but it’s not like his 50 winners would be the equivalent of his metro winners here. He should really still be with a country claim [3kg], so to be riding winners with only 1.5kg, with his lack of experience, it’s a credit to him.

“I know a couple of good judges back home are tipping him as champion apprentice in the UK this coming season, and he’s got the work ethic to head that way.

Jack Callan returns a winner on Esmahli on Saturday at Rosehill.

“Seeing him on the Hayes’ horse the other day, he squeezed it through that gap, so I like that he’s got a bit of guts. It would be nice to get a few more winners for him before he goes.”

Callan said he has “loved every minute of being here”, including riding trackwork for several stables at Warwick Farm, Randwick and Hawkesbury.

“It’s made it a bit more difficult to get going, but I’ve still got plenty out of it,” Callan said of the restriction.

“Luckily, I’ve still been able to get support, and Annabel and Rob have been very good to me.”

On Saturday, Callan rides $2.50 (TAB) favourite Trapalanda, coming off three seconds in Victoria, for the first time in the 2000m benchmark 88 handicap. He sticks with Hellsing ($12) in the benchmark 88 over 1600m after a seventh last start at Wyong at 1400m. Archibald said Hellsing was “a bit of a smokey at big odds”, if he can settle early.

“I really like him,” Callan said of Hellsing.

“He’s been so good at home, he’s been taking his work really well. He seems to be settling well and if he can settle, find a nice spot, he’s got every chance stepping up in trip. He needs that step up.”