Noel Callow the king of the turf on the Gold Coast

By Jordan Gerrans

Jordan Beaumont has spent much of his working life at the Gold Coast Turf Club and has become a regular fixture at the track.

So, when people on course have seen Beaumont with a new off-sider in recent months, they usually are shocked.

Beaumont, who is the Head Gardener at the club, has had champion hoop Noel Callow as his right hand man of late. 

As he explains, people are always surprised to see the multiple Group 1-winning rider cutting grass or planting flowers, but the smiling Callow always has a quick reply when he is asked why he is working at the club.

“He quickly tells them he loves it,” Beaumont said.

The 47-year-old Callow relocated to the Gold Coast from Melbourne around 12 months ago for a lifestyle change and the popular hoop has not looked back since, declaring he has loved every second of his Queensland experience.

He no longer spends hours in the car going to different race tracks around Victoria and does not ride work in the morning anymore.

Callow race rides on a Saturday on the Gold Coast – at times he will be dragged into riding at a mid-week meeting – but he prefers to keep it to once a week.

And, during the week, he is at Aquis Park usually three or four days a week ensuring the club is looking beautiful.

He mows lawns in the mounting yard, cuts hedges, pulls out weeds and plants flowers, among other tasks. 

The cheeky hoop who has ridden all over the world is loving the job.

“There is always something to do at the club, before I started I did not realise how much there was to actually be done,” Callow said.

“I try to get out of a few of the harder jobs (laughs) but I do enjoy myself here.”

As one of the top jockeys in Australia in his prime, cutting grass on the Gold Coast is a far cry from being the star of the show on Group 1 days through carnival.

But, as his boss details, Callow is not there to add to his retirement fund and just cruise through, he gets his hands dirty and is happy to do the hard work.

And, in true “King Callow” fashion, he has some fun while he completes the role.

“He does the whole kit and caboodle,” Beaumont said.

“He does not muck around, he works hard.

“He is a very good worker and he is a great character to have around, there is plenty of jokes when Noel is around, there is plenty of fun.

“It is very entertaining indeed seeing him carry on and achieve his goals.”

While he is closer to the end than the start of his riding career, Callow still has plenty left in the tank and is a regular in the winners stall at Aquis Park.

He rode two winners and three other minor placings last Saturday and has 49 victories to his name this season.

No longer riding track work and usually only race riding once a week, Callow believes the job at the club can be helpful come Saturdays on the Gold Coast.

“I know where the right lanes are,” he said with a chuckle.

“I get the white line fever every Saturday for about five hours and for the rest of the week I can enjoy my life.

“I know how to keep myself fit, because I am not a light-weight, it suits me and I enjoy it.”

Based in Queensland for the last year with wife Renee, Callow was not sure how long he would last in the Sunshine State and has been pleasantly surprised with how well it has gone and has no plans to head back to Victoria any time soon.

“I am not going anywhere,” Callow said.

"Me and the wife have bought a house, she works at Pacific Fair and it is going good.

“I love the lifestyle up here.

“In Victoria it is a grind, with a lot of driving, and at my age, I want to enjoy my life and me and the wife are getting on fantastic at the minute.”