From Hong Kong to the Sunshine State: Thompson excited to be coming back

Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Since February 2024, Thompson has been based in the global racing hub of Hong Kong, but he will relocate to Brisbane following the final Hong Kong meeting of the season, scheduled for Happy Valley on July 16. Describing his time abroad as “an amazing experience,” Thompson believes he returns home a more seasoned and well-rounded jockey.

Hong Kong: Tough, rewarding, and unforgettable

Thompson’s time in Hong Kong has had its share of highs and tougher times, but his gratitude for the experience is clear.

“It’s been an amazing experience, considering I came here out of the blue from riding in Queensland, for an 8-week visiting licence, and I kept on getting extensions, so to have been here for 18 months is something I am proud of.

“It's been the highlight of my career being here, and it is a place that I'd love to return. But I just feel I can take the experience I have gained home and see how we go.

“It’s been wild and a great experience, and I am very fortunate to have had good support from all of the trainers, to have ridden for the likes of John Size and Tony Cruz has been great, they are some of the world’s elite trainers and it has been an honour to ride for them.

“To have a Group 1 ride in the Derby on Bundle Of Charm for John Size was a real highlight.”

Despite consistent opportunities - 359 rides this season, and 15 winners during his whole time in Hong Kong, Thompson admits the Hong Kong circuit demands both mental toughness and persistence.

“I have received a good number of rides, and support, but I just felt it was the right time to head back to Brisbane.

“I have had some good success, but there have been some hard runs as well, but that is part of the game in such a tough racing environment.”

“When you're only riding twice a week on the greatest stage in racing, winners are hard to come by, it's just part of it.”

His 8 winners, and 41 placings this season, have helped amass nearly HK$23 million (AU$4.45 million) in prizemoney this season alone.

Being a jockey can be lucrative in Hong Kong but that comes with the competitiveness and how difficult it is, jockeys in Hong Kong earn 10 per cent of prize money, instead of the usual five per cent in Australia, and have no need to travel to race meetings as they are only held at Happy Valley and Sha Tin, and usually only twice a week.

“It's been a surreal experience and without doubt the most rewarding and challenging chapter of my career.

When it’s tough racing, learning occurs

It’s no secret that jockeys who cut their teeth in Hong Kong often return home sharper, smarter and stronger. Thompson is confident that’s exactly what the past 18 months have done for him.

“You can see why that's generally the trend. Everything moves at such a fast pace in this city, the races themselves and off the track. You're kept on your toes to obtain rides and then to keep those rides.

“I'd like to think that it'll have held me in good stead and the experience has made me a better rider than the one that arrived here 18 months ago.

“It really is a learning curve, and to compete against some of the world’s best jockeys is great, as well as the visiting ones, with the likes of James McDonald, Ryan Moore, Zac Purton, and Christophe Soumillon to name a few.

Gallery: Notable jockeys in the Hong Kong circuit during Ben Thompson’s tenure

“Some of these guys have been my idols and jockeys that I have looked up to, so it has been surreal.”

What helped Thompson evolve most was his constant observation and curiosity.

“Being able to constantly observe what they do both in the races, and out of the saddle has been great, also asking lots of questions.”

Being your own agent in Hong Kong, and why it matters

In Hong Kong, jockeys don’t have agents, they book their own rides and manage their own relationships with trainers. For many Australian jockeys, this can be a steep learning curve, but Thompson embraced it.

“Being your own agent was great, and it’s very important to obtain and keep the rides. I learnt a lot from the other jockeys, seeing how they negotiate and compete.

“I found the process good as gold. When I rode in Singapore in 2019 it was the same, so I had some experience there, and when I was first an apprentice, I did about 14 months doing my rides myself, which was a great way to learn.

“When you have a jockey manager, sometimes you miss the negotiation side, or when you get knocked back, so it’s good to experience that, and what goes on behind the scenes - it is very rewarding doing it yourself.”

However, upon his return to Brisbane, Thompson will revert to a familiar and successful system.

“As good as doing your own rides sounds, Glen Courtney is going to be doing my rides. It is a recipe that worked last time and we have worked very well together and achieved good results in the past.

“So I'm looking forward to working with Glen again, and re-establishing ourselves.”

Brisbane: To become home again

Brisbane has been a professional and personal stronghold for Thompson since he moved there from Victoria, via Singapore in 2020.

“It's been our home, before arriving here (Hong Kong), for three-and-a-half years and it's been a great move for my career and my wife Steph's career.

“Stephanie (Stephanie Thornton before marriage) moved to Queensland for her riding career when I was in Singapore, it was around Covid time and I decided to move there also, not knowing if it would be for a few months or when Covid restrictions weakened.”

“But I am a big believer of things happening for a reason, and we loved it in Queensland. It's a place we've loved competing in and living in, so I’m just looking forward to tackling it again.

While some might assume the transition back into Queensland racing will be seamless, Thompson remains humble.

“I’m not the kind of person who takes anything for granted, but I am familiar with the place. I have not been away too long, and will try my hardest and work hard in order to link back with trainers that I have previously had success with.

“It does excite me to get back to Queensland. After this experience, I think I will be a better jockey. I have competed in strong racing against strong jockeys, now it’s time to roll my sleeves up and get back home.

“I am starting the new season at the right time. The timing is good, and I will get to work. As we know in this industry, time flies; before you know it, it will be the summer carnival, and Magic Millions will be approaching.

“Hopefully, I will pick up some rides in the southern states, as I am a natural 50kg jockey, so I will aim to pick up some rides for the major handicaps.”

Hong Kong: A life-changing adventure off the track also

Hong Kong was as enriching off the track as it was on it for Thompson and his young family.

“Hong Kong is a place everybody wants to get to, and I have been privileged enough to experience it and hopefully I do again in the future.

“I love living here, I love the environment, and the Jockey Club looks after you very well. The people in Hong Kong are lovely.”

Having his wife Stephanie and young son Harry by his side for the journey only added to the experience.

“They have been here the whole time and have also enjoyed their time. Having them here, happy and comfortable, was super important to me. They have gone back now and are preparing everything for when I get home.”

With a sharpened skillset, a grounded attitude and his sights set on Brisbane, Ben Thompson returns to Australia not just as a jockey who’s ridden on one of the world’s biggest stages, but as a better horseman, competitor, and professional, ready for the next chapter.