{"id":226002,"date":"2025-06-30T07:02:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T07:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/226002\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T07:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T07:02:17","slug":"thompson-will-be-back-in-brissie-bigger-and-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/226002\/","title":{"rendered":"Thompson will be back in Brissie bigger and better"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ben Thompson<\/a> is confident he will return to Brisbane in July as a much better jockey following his 18-month stint in the frenetic and cut-throat world of Hong Kong racing.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old will finish up in the Asian racing mecca on July 16 and fly home the following day to be with his wife and former jockey Stephanie Thornton<\/a> and their young child Harry.<\/p>\n

And leading Eagle Farm trainer Robert Heathcote<\/a> has welcomed Thompson\u2019s imminent return to Brisbane\u2019s riding ranks, rating him in the \u201ctop three\u201d jockeys in the River City.<\/p>\n

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Thompson last week withdrew his application to continue riding in Hong Kong for another six months, saying \u201cit felt like the right move\u201d to head back to Brisbane.<\/p>\n

READ:<\/b>\u00a0Forget Wagering \u2026 This is Racing\u2019s Biggest Battle<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had great support fortunately since being here and received a good number of rides (352 this season) but I just felt it was in my best interests, both professionally and personally, to go back to Brisbane,\u201d he told Racenet from Hong Kong on Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been the highlight of my career being here and it is a place that I\u2019d love to return. But I just feel I can take the experience from here home and see how we go.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019d be a dream to return (to Hong Kong) some time down the track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thompson has been through a lean trot, having not won a race since April, and has notched eight victories in Hong Kong this season, one behind fellow Brisbane jockey Jimmy Orman<\/a>, who has extended his contract in the region until February 17. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re only riding twice a week on the greatest stage in racing, winners are hard to come by, it\u2019s just part of it,\u201d said Thompson, who has won more than HK$22m (AUS$4.2m) in prizemoney so far this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a surreal experience and without doubt the most rewarding and challenging chapter of my career.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re rubbing shoulders with the world\u2019s elite riders and they\u2019re permanent fixtures, the likes of Zac Purton<\/a>, Hugh Bowman<\/a> and Andrea Atzeni<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are jockeys I\u2019ve idolised so it\u2019s been a great experience watching them ply their trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

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And Thompson, who acts as his own riding agent in Hong Kong, has no doubt he\u2019s a superior jockey to when he left Australian shores in February last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything happens at such a fast pace here and you have to think so quick,\u201d he said about riding in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the time you jump out the gates it\u2019s all systems go and you only get one chance. <\/p>\n

\u201cOff the track you\u2019re chasing horses that you\u2019ve raced that day and trying to get your backside on them for the next time they run.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything moves at such a fast rate and you have to be so dialled in. I\u2019d like to think that has left me much better off for my return to Brisbane.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heathcote said he would have no hesitation in getting Thompson on his horses when the jockey makes his comeback to racing in Brisbane in the August 2 metropolitan meeting at Eagle Farm. <\/p>\n

\u201cNot only is he a lightweight rider but he\u2019s a thorough gentleman, he\u2019s hard working and he\u2019s a quality jockey,\u201d the trainer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll get as much support from my stable as I can give him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s brilliant with form and he\u2019s an A-grade rider. He\u2019ll certainly be in the top three jockeys in Brisbane.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Thompson will take time off from his busy schedule on Saturday to watch star greyhound Tim Zoo contest the Group 1 Brisbane Cup at Q2 Parklands.<\/p>\n

The gifted chaser is trained by Ben\u2019s father, champion trainer Jason Thompson, and is owned by a syndicate which includes Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents were fortunate enough to win the Brisbane Cup last year with Flying Zulu so hopefully they can do it again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dogs are my biggest outlet away from the gallops.\u201d<\/p>\n

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