On Tuesday, British born trainer, Richard Gibson announced he is set to end his training operation in Hong Kong with the 53-year-old not applying for a licence beyond this current 2022-23 season.
Speaking on Nick Luck's podcast, the trainer discussed his decision to return to Europe:
"It's a good time for me to come back. Professionally, but also for my young family. I always wanted to end my career in Europe. I learned a lot and I'm coming back an experienced horseman. We have a house in the south of England. Close to France therefore, my adopted country. I will therefore cross the Channel very often."
As to where he will be based, Richard Gibson said: "All options are open. I'm considering several tracks. I'm going to start by touring European stud farms and training centers."
An Englishman by birth, Gibson gained a solid grounding with French trainers Pascal Bary and Alex Pantall, as well as Americans Bill Mott, and Gary Jones.
He took out his first licence at Chantilly in 1996 and hit the ground running when as early as 1999, Lady Of Chad won the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac en route to becoming European Champion Juvenile Filly.
He moved from France to Hong Kong for the 2011-12 season and has trained 286 winners, 22 in Group events, in just over ten years with a strike rate of around 7%.
Notable achievements and victories include Doctor Dino winning the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase in 2007 and 2008 along with success in the USA. He also trained a Hong Kong Derby winner with Akeed Mofeed and Gold-Fun finished a close second in the 2016 G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Other notable horses are Lady of Chad, Marotta, and Golden Moon.
Wellington has been a more recent star performer for the stable with five Group wins including three at Group One. The six-year-old has been entered at Royal Ascot in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday 24 June with Ryan Moore expected to ride.
