BEN THOMPSON READY TO MAKE THE MOST OF HIS RIDING LICENSE EXTENSION IN HONG KONG

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Ben Thompson won’t be in action at the Longines International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, but he will be in attendance to witness racing at its highest peak in a precinct Thompson currently calls home … and he will still have the smile on his face after being granted an extension to his riding contract which had been due to expire on International Races day.

“It was very much a wait and see process,” said Thompson. “Obviously it was in the back of our minds … Steph and I … and we probably wouldn’t be human if we weren’t thinking about the ‘what ifs’ before we even came to a crossroads only being on a three month contract.

“It all came around pretty quickly. Fortunately, the extension came through and now I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to ride here for the rest of the season.

“I’m very lucky and grateful to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for giving me the opportunity.

“It’s important that we’ve got clarity and those who have been supporting me have clarity.

“Obviously, when trainers and owners know you are only here on a three-month contract they can’t figure you into any long terms plans until you are definitely available.

“So, we can say full steam ahead now being on a longer-term license rather than the short-term licences I have had since being here. I initially only came on an eight week contract.

“Honestly, in the grand scheme of things I have been here for five minutes and its all about building relationships with trainers and owners, which doesn’t happen overnight, because the competition extends off the track as well.

“Negotiating for rides off the track … you have to be on your toes twenty-four/seven. Nobody gives an inch. It is a beast unlike any other … but it is an amazing place to do all of that though.

“I might have come into unfamiliar territory riding-wise, but I have been a fan of Hong Kong racing for many years now, so I know all of these trainers from the other side of the television … and now to be able to deal with them personally is great.

“Being able to ride the minimum weight (52kg) also helps create opportunities.

“It is such a competitive place … but it is also a lot of fun, which is why most people come away at the end of it all the better for the experience.

“Most importantly though, I couldn’t do any of this without the support of my family. I wouldn’t be here without having Steph on board. I’m blessed to have a wife who understands the requirements of the game and the sacrifices that need to be made along the way.

“She’s sacrificed so much for me to be able to be here and to chase the dream … including putting her career in the saddle on hold.

“I came here with realistic expectations after a call came out of the blue and for us to have to be here in two weeks, and now to have the extension means that by the end of the season we would have ben here for eighteen months … it’s pretty amazing.

“The beauty of the extension is you never know where it might take you. It’s a game in which there are so many sliding door moments and you’ve just got to keep pushing forward.

“The next good horse could come from anywhere. Let’s hope when that happens somewhere along the way I’ll be sitting on top of it.”

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