Paul Scallan
Paul Scallan was born in Cleariestown, Co Wexford on 10 February 1979, the son of a dairy farmer. He hunted and show-jumped as a child, and rode out for Padge and John Berry at weekends and during school holidays.
Paul Scallan was born in Cleariestown, Co Wexford on 10 February 1979, the son of a dairy farmer. He hunted and show-jumped as a child, and rode out for Padge and John Berry at weekends and during school holidays.
He started his racing career with Aiden O’Brien after finishing school and had a couple of rides for him as an amateur before becoming apprenticed to him. He rode his first winner on Marigot Bay in the Burlington Air Express Nursery Handicap on Irish Champions Stakes day at Leopardstown on 13 September 1997.
He started his racing career with Aiden O’Brien after finishing school and had a couple of rides for him as an amateur before becoming apprenticed to him. He rode his first winner on Marigot Bay in the Burlington Air Express Nursery Handicap on Irish Champions Stakes day at Leopardstown on 13 September 1997.
As a 5lb claimer, Paul rode Willie Mullins’ two-year-old Holy Orders to win a Fairyhouse nursery on 6 October 1999. They finished third at Gowran Park nine days later.
As a 5lb claimer, Paul rode Willie Mullins’ two-year-old Holy Orders to win a Fairyhouse nursery on 6 October 1999. They finished third at Gowran Park nine days later.
Paul recorded his biggest victory on the O’Brien-trained filly Imagine in the Group 3 C.L. Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh on 30 September 2000. The following season she won the Irish 1,000 Guineas when ridden by Seamie Heffernan and the Epsom Oaks under Michael Kinane.
Paul recorded his biggest victory on the O’Brien-trained filly Imagine in the Group 3 C.L. Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh on 30 September 2000. The following season she won the Irish 1,000 Guineas when ridden by Seamie Heffernan and the Epsom Oaks under Michael Kinane.
Another top-class O’Brien performer he rode was Sholokhov. In 2001 Paul rode him to finish second in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes and third in the Group 1 National Stakes. He also rode him as a three-year-old in 2002, finishing second (at 200-1) to High Chaparral in the Irish Derby, second to Hawk Wing in the Eclipse Stakes, and fourth in both the Irish Champion Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Sholokhov is now a leading National Hunt stallion, being the sire of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack, Shishkin and Bob Olinger and many other high-level performers.
Another top-class O’Brien performer he rode was Sholokhov. In 2001 Paul rode him to finish second in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes and third in the Group 1 National Stakes. He also rode him as a three-year-old in 2002, finishing second (at 200-1) to High Chaparral in the Irish Derby, second to Hawk Wing in the Eclipse Stakes, and fourth in both the Irish Champion Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Sholokhov is now a leading National Hunt stallion, being the sire of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack, Shishkin and Bob Olinger and many other high-level performers.
Paul crossed the Irish Sea and had a winter riding on the all-weather and working for Sir Mark Prescott. The following winter he returned and joined up with Barney Curley. He also rode plenty for Bryan Smart and Jeremy Noseda.
Paul crossed the Irish Sea and had a winter riding on the all-weather and working for Sir Mark Prescott. The following winter he returned and joined up with Barney Curley. He also rode plenty for Bryan Smart and Jeremy Noseda.
Riding for Bryan Smart at Southwell on 9 January 2003, Paul gave two polished riding displays to land both divisions of the one-mile class 5 handicap with Friday’s Takings and Brandy Cove. He also won four races that year – two at Southwell, two at Catterick – on Smart’s six-year-old Known Fact gelding Differential.
Riding for Bryan Smart at Southwell on 9 January 2003, Paul gave two polished riding displays to land both divisions of the one-mile class 5 handicap with Friday’s Takings and Brandy Cove. He also won four races that year – two at Southwell, two at Catterick – on Smart’s six-year-old Known Fact gelding Differential.
Among the horses he rode for Jeremy Noseda that year was Courageous Duke, on which he finished fourth in the valuable John Smith’s Cup at York and 15th of 34 runners in the Cambridgeshire.
Among the horses he rode for Jeremy Noseda that year was Courageous Duke, on which he finished fourth in the valuable John Smith’s Cup at York and 15th of 34 runners in the Cambridgeshire.
He did have one blip that year, when he partnered the unplaced Born In America for Aidan O’Brien in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury in September. Paul became the first jockey in Britain to be punished for breaching limits on mobile phone use. He was fined £250, having been found using his mobile behind a building on the track by a member of the Jockey Club’s security team.
He did have one blip that year, when he partnered the unplaced Born In America for Aidan O’Brien in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury in September. Paul became the first jockey in Britain to be punished for breaching limits on mobile phone use. He was fined £250, having been found using his mobile behind a building on the track by a member of the Jockey Club’s security team.
He continued to ride many of Aidan O’Brien’s pacemakers in the major races. Among them was Newton, on which he finished sixth in both the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 2004. Also that year, he finished seventh on Moscow Ballet in the Irish Derby, having led until two furlongs from home.
He continued to ride many of Aidan O’Brien’s pacemakers in the major races. Among them was Newton, on which he finished sixth in both the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 2004. Also that year, he finished seventh on Moscow Ballet in the Irish Derby, having led until two furlongs from home.
Paul rode over 100 winners during his career and reckons he rode in pretty much every Classic in England, Ireland and France except for the Epsom Derby. However, having ridden out his claim, he began to put on weight. He rode a few over jumps but eventually retired from race-riding.
Paul rode over 100 winners during his career and reckons he rode in pretty much every Classic in England, Ireland and France except for the Epsom Derby. However, having ridden out his claim, he began to put on weight. He rode a few over jumps but eventually retired from race-riding.
He is now back farming and hunting in Ireland, He currently hunts with the Island Foxhounds.
He is now back farming and hunting in Ireland, He currently hunts with the Island Foxhounds.