Richard Gibson will depart Hong Kong with “very, very many fond memories” after it was confirmed on Tuesday the 53-year-old will not apply for a licence beyond this term.
In a release, licensing committee secretary Terry Bailey said Gibson “will continue to operate his stable as normal to the end of this season”.
“I’m very grateful to be able to work with the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 12 seasons. It sounds corny, but I’m very honoured to have represented Europe for 12 years in Hong Kong. I’m certainly returning to Europe a more rounded and accomplished horseman,” Gibson said.
“It feels the right time to move on and explore new possibilities in Europe with the family. I’m feeling content and excited about the future.”
After beginning his career in France, Gibson joined the Kong Kong training ranks ahead of the 2011-12 campaign and has compiled 286 victories in the city.
Gibson won the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) in 2007 and 2008 with Doctor Dino before relocating to Sha Tin and landing a host of other big-race successes in the past 12 years.
His biggest wins came in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) and the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in 2013 thanks to Akeed Mofeed, while from 2013 to 2015 Gold-Fun delivered the Englishman a Classic Mile, a Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and a Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m).
“The biggest race in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Cup, so winning it was, of course, my proudest moment. It was a very proud moment listening to the national anthem for the Hong Kong Cup,” Gibson said.
“We had a very good record at the December international meeting with the wins and a number of seconds as well. I’m leaving with very, very many fond memories and looking forward to the next adventure.”
More recently, Gibson has tasted repeated elite-level success courtesy of the brilliant Wellington, who has reeled off four Group One victories in the past three seasons.
It is likely Wellington will give his trainer another chance at Group One glory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) during the Royal Ascot carnival later this month.
“Richard’s career in Hong Kong has been notable for his successes with Akeed Mofeed and Gold-Fun and, of course, most recently with Wellington,” said Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding.
“Beyond this, I’d like to acknowledge the very positive part he’s played in the Hong Kong racing community. Richard is always one of the first to support anyone who needs a helping hand. I wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Before the curtain comes down on his Hong Kong career, Gibson has 12 meetings to add to his nine wins so far in 2022-23, with the likes of Happy Together and One For All joining Wellington as horses who certainly look capable of helping to send their handler out on a high.
