I’m furious after missing out on £17,000 payday – I jogged in a hot shower but it wasn’t enough to lose weight
SUMO SAM’s Group 2 win on the last day of Glorious Goodwood left Neil Callan feeling sau.
The star jockey was due to ride the filly in the Lilly Langtry Stakes but was unable to do the 8st 11lb weight.
So just ten minutes before the ‘off’ Tom Marquand took over on the strong-staying three-year-old and made all in the mud to charge home by eight and half lengths in the £300,000 race.
Marquand banked a £17,000 cheque for his work. But seething Callan took a swipe at the BHA by jumping into the row over the continued closure of racecourse saunas.
Sunracing columnist and ITV frontman Matt Chapman raised the weighty issue in the Favourite pullout on Saturday.
Callan rode in three other races on the day but all the horses were carrying more than 9st.
He said: “Not being able to get the last bit of weight off at the track cost me a Group 2 winner.
Jogging in the hot shower wasn’t enough! It’s a joke. Saunas in the weighing rooms at tracks should be brought back.”
They were closed as part of Covid safety measures in June 2020.
The BHA claimed ‘88 per cent of jockeys polled’ supported the move . . . but it is not clear how many riders were polled.
At the time Dr Jerry Hill, BHA chief medical adviser, said “Acute dehydration, such as that following sauna use, shortly before racing reduces performance as it has a negative impact on reaction time and strength.
“There are safe and effective methods of maintaining weight healthily.”
But Chapman said: “Jockeys should have the choice of using a sauna or not using one as they so wish.
“Saunas should be put back at every race track in the UK, 100 per cent. I suspect the reason why they are not is more to do with cost than welfare. It is a disgrace.”
Jump jockey Daryl Jacob agrees. He said: “Many of us are struggling without the help of saunas. They are an everyday tool we need.”
Callan was recently appointed to the PJA board and will add his weight to calls lobbying for their return.
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