Neil Callan

Age 29

Marital status Married to Trish. We have one son, Jack, aged six months

Licensed since 1998

Retainer Stable jockey to Kevin Ryan

Lives Newmarket

Drives Audi A6 (Le Mans) sponsored by NCG

Agent Simon Dodds, very hard-working

What's your perfect night in, and your perfect night out? Perfect night in would be getting home in time to put my son to bed, then having a bite to eat and a nice bottle of wine with my wife. My favourite night out is going to a nice restaurant with friends

You've picked up a two-day suspension - what are you going to do to entertain yourself? I'm on a two-day ban at the moment, so I can tell you exactly what I'm going to do. It's golf, tennis and shopping with Trish.

What's your favourite holiday destination? Seychelles – it's where we had our honeymoon.

Who'd be your ideal three companions for the long drive to Musselburgh? Lester Piggott, because he's a legend but also because he doesn't say much, so we'd get some sleep. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, so we can hatch a plot to win the Premiership for the first time, and Eva Longoria from Desperate Housewives (for the view!)

What CDs would you keep in the glove compartment for when the conversation dries up? Robbie Williams and Now 66 – I like all types of music and there's a bit of everything on those Now albums. Also some Frank Sinatra, there are some great chill-out songs among his classics.

Who are your biggest heroes - in and out of racing? Piggott again, the man was a genius in the saddle. Outside racing, it would be Tiger Woods, for his dedication and determination. I'm looking forward to watching him in the Open this week.

What things excite you - and what do you find a turnoff? Riding big winners always excites me – and, of course, I have to mention my wife! Unreliable people are a big turnoff, there's nothing worse than someone you can't put a bit of trust in.

What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you in the course of your work? I was going out for a race at Ripon, I think it was, and just as I was entering the parade ring I realised I had forgotten to put my helmet on. That gave everyone in the parade ring a good laugh, I can tell you.

If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be? I would do away with the totting-up procedure. Once you've been banned, you've already served your punishment – it doesn't seem right to add on another ban on top of what you've already done.

If you hadn't been a jockey, what would you like to have done? I would love to have been a golfer, it's a sport I really enjoy playing. I play off around 15, but the only time I really get the chance for a game at this time of year is when I'm suspended. However, every year I go over to the K Club in Ireland for a charity golf event, Trish always comes along and it's something I Iook forward to every year. It's a great way to recharge the batteries.

Do you ever read the Betfair forum? No.

What's the daftest question you've ever been asked by a journalist? What's the ground like? It's the one most jockeys are asked as a matter of course, whether the sun has been shining for a fortnight or they've just come in covered in mud from head to toe. It isn't rocket science to work it out, just a bit of common sense.

What are the best and worst rides you have ever given a horse? My best ride was Uhoomagoo at the Galway festival a couple of years ago. I'd never ridden at Galway before, but I'd led-up horses there before and this was my first time back. There were 16 runners over seven furlongs and we had a rotten draw in stall two – the other jocks all said that if I was drawn low I could forget about winning. I walked the course beforehand and everything just fell into place in the race – they went very quick and I was off the bridle from the start, but I knew he'd find plenty. The last furlong and a half is straight, so I waited until after the home turn and then edged him out. I pulled him to the outside and he went from last to first, picking them up well inside the final furlong. We won by a length and a half. As far as bad rides go, I don't give horses bad rides – or at least not any that I'd tell you about!

What's the biggest regret of your career? Missing the ride on Cockney Rebel in both Guineas this spring, but being loyal to my boss comes first and that loyalty would have other advantages.