Ben Thompson says he’s returning to Brisbane a sharper jockey after 18 months immersed in Hong Kong’s high-pressure racing scene.
The 27-year-old will wrap up his stint on July 16 and fly home to reunite with wife and former jockey Stephanie Thornton and their son Harry.
Thompson recently withdrew his application to extend his Hong Kong licence, saying, “it felt like the right move.”
“It’s been the highlight of my career… but I just felt it was in my best interests, both professionally and personally, to go back to Brisbane,” he told Racenet.
Thompson has ridden 352 times this season for eight wins and over HK$22 million in prizemoney.
He credited the experience of racing alongside elite names like Zac Purton and Hugh Bowman as transformative.
Trainer Robert Heathcote welcomed his return, calling him “an A-grade rider” and one of Brisbane’s top three jockeys.
Thompson will resume riding at Eagle Farm on August 2.