Top Flat jockey on track for eighth century of winners takes up lucrative Hong Kong offer
One of Britain's busiest jockeys is cutting short his season to take up a lucrative offer to ride in Hong Kong.
Welshman David Probert, 36, who regularly rides nearly 1,000 horses a year, is on track to reach a century of winners in a year for the eighth time in his career. Nine days ago he recorded his biggest success of 2025 when steering Royal Ascot winner Never So Brave to victory in the Group 2 Summer Mile, his 21st Group winner.
Yet he accepts that when the exciting Andew Balding-trained four-year-old has his next start the mount is likely to return to Oisin Murphy, if he's available.
So when the Hong Kong Jockey Club offered him the chance to join a growing colony of riders of ex-British based riders in the Far East, he accepted.
The jockey from Bargoed in South Wales's Rhymney Valley, who has ridden 1,681 winners, will arrive with Derby winner Richard Kingscote to compete with the already established Harry Bentley and Andrea Atzeni for the first half of the season from September to February.
'I've always been consistent, riding 100 winners especially in the last six seasons, and I've probably been one of the busiest jockeys about, riding nearly 1,000 horses a year,' he told Mirror Racing.
'It's really difficult to compete with the top five jockeys in the country. The opportunities to have your chance in a Classic or a domestic Group 1 are few and far between. I've been riding for 20 years and to build my hopes up on gaining that Group 1 horse I could be waiting another five or ten years.
'For me as a rider I feel it would be beneficial to go to Hong Kong, open new horizons, new doors and challenge myself. The racing is very competitive, they have good prize-money. They only race twice a week but still the chances you get and the rewards are so much more beneficial.'
Probert has made the most of his limited starts in Classic to finish second in the Derby and second in the 2,000 Guineas.
He went on: 'To ride a favourite in a Guineas you need to be in the right place at the right time, have a retained job or be riding first jockey for a big trainer. Even though the majority of my rides are from Andrew, we have Oisin riding at the top of his game. A lot of our owners have their own jockey.
'I ride for a lot of different owners and trainers who have supported me massively and I enjoy riding for. This is about nothing more than me wanting to better myself as a jockey.
'I know it's going to be very difficult to start with because in Hong Kong they don't value you on your past success, they go by face value.
'I know I will have to build bridges, sell myself, book my own rides. It's an opportunity to better myself as a jockey and a person.
'I am really looking forward to it. I am always willingl to learn and if you want to learn more about international racing, Hong Kong is the best place to go.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
23 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
India face anxious wait over scan results on Rishabh Pant's right foot
Pant brought trademark chaos after India had slipped from 94 without loss to 140 for three at Emirates Old Trafford, slog sweeping Jofra Archer for four and belting Brydon Carse for a straight six. But he inside-edged a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes' yorker flush on to his boot, which he removed to reveal a foot that became increasingly swollen and bruised as he received lengthy treatment. 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress. — BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2025 Pant, who has made 462 runs at 77 in this series, retired hurt on 37 and was taken off the field in agony on a golf buggy, leaving his availability for the rest of the Test in major doubt. He went for scans and Sai Sudharsan, who top-scored with 61 in India's 264 for four and was at the other end when Pant was injured, admitted the tourists are waiting with baited breath on the outcome. 'He was in a lot of pain,' Sudharsan said. 'He's gone for scans and we'll get to know overnight. 'He was batting really well here. We miss a batter if he doesn't come back again, so it would definitely have consequences. We'll try to give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss.' England spinner Liam Dawson, who marked his first Test appearance in eight years by taking the prize wicket of India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 58, believes Pant's situation is bleak. 'Our thoughts are with him, it didn't look a great injury so I hope he's alright,' Dawson said. 'He's obviously a very good player but I can't see him taking much more part in this game.' Dawson admitted he thought his hopes of an England recall had vanished before Shoaib Bashir's Test summer was ended by a finger injury he sustained in last week's nail-biting win at Lord's. The 35-year-old claimed figures of one for 45 from 15 overs, having Jaiswal caught at slip for his first Test wicket in 2,929 days since dismissing ex-South Africa batter Hashim Amla at Trent Bridge. 'I've said to a few people that the age I'm at, I thought Test cricket was gone,' Dawson said. 'To be back involved is really cool and I've got to try and enjoy each day that I get. 'I do feel I'm a better bowler than what I was a few years ago. I was nervous. I'd not played for a number of years. The biggest thing for me is I understood what to expect whereas before, I didn't. 'Hopefully I'll get a couple more. It's one wicket, I've done nothing special.' However, Ashes 2005-winning captain Michael Vaughan has seen enough to convince him Dawson, rather than Bashir, should be England's frontline spinner for this winter's blockbuster Ashes series in Australia. It is Dawson's all-round abilities – he has more than 10,000 first-class runs with 18 hundreds and is regarded as a fine fielder – that makes him such an attractive option for Vaughan. 'He is a good cricketer,' Vaughan told the BBC'S Test Match Special. 'He has been around the blocks. He knows his game. You could see that from the first ball he bowled. 'I think England are a better team with him in the side. On the pitches we are seeing in the UK and potentially Australia, I want to see a batting line-up that is absolutely packed. 'He has the all-round package and for this England side, and going forward to Australia, they are stronger with this style of cricketer in it.'
South Wales Guardian
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
India face anxious wait over scan results on Rishabh Pant's right foot
Pant brought trademark chaos after India had slipped from 94 without loss to 140 for three at Emirates Old Trafford, slog sweeping Jofra Archer for four and belting Brydon Carse for a straight six. But he inside-edged a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes' yorker flush on to his boot, which he removed to reveal a foot that became increasingly swollen and bruised as he received lengthy treatment. 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress. — BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2025 Pant, who has made 462 runs at 77 in this series, retired hurt on 37 and was taken off the field in agony on a golf buggy, leaving his availability for the rest of the Test in major doubt. He went for scans and Sai Sudharsan, who top-scored with 61 in India's 264 for four and was at the other end when Pant was injured, admitted the tourists are waiting with baited breath on the outcome. 'He was in a lot of pain,' Sudharsan said. 'He's gone for scans and we'll get to know overnight. 'He was batting really well here. We miss a batter if he doesn't come back again, so it would definitely have consequences. We'll try to give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss.' England spinner Liam Dawson, who marked his first Test appearance in eight years by taking the prize wicket of India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 58, believes Pant's situation is bleak. 'Our thoughts are with him, it didn't look a great injury so I hope he's alright,' Dawson said. 'He's obviously a very good player but I can't see him taking much more part in this game.' Dawson admitted he thought his hopes of an England recall had vanished before Shoaib Bashir's Test summer was ended by a finger injury he sustained in last week's nail-biting win at Lord's. The 35-year-old claimed figures of one for 45 from 15 overs, having Jaiswal caught at slip for his first Test wicket in 2,929 days since dismissing ex-South Africa batter Hashim Amla at Trent Bridge. 'I've said to a few people that the age I'm at, I thought Test cricket was gone,' Dawson said. 'To be back involved is really cool and I've got to try and enjoy each day that I get. 'I do feel I'm a better bowler than what I was a few years ago. I was nervous. I'd not played for a number of years. The biggest thing for me is I understood what to expect whereas before, I didn't. 'Hopefully I'll get a couple more. It's one wicket, I've done nothing special.' However, Ashes 2005-winning captain Michael Vaughan has seen enough to convince him Dawson, rather than Bashir, should be England's frontline spinner for this winter's blockbuster Ashes series in Australia. It is Dawson's all-round abilities – he has more than 10,000 first-class runs with 18 hundreds and is regarded as a fine fielder – that makes him such an attractive option for Vaughan. 'He is a good cricketer,' Vaughan told the BBC'S Test Match Special. 'He has been around the blocks. He knows his game. You could see that from the first ball he bowled. 'I think England are a better team with him in the side. On the pitches we are seeing in the UK and potentially Australia, I want to see a batting line-up that is absolutely packed. 'He has the all-round package and for this England side, and going forward to Australia, they are stronger with this style of cricketer in it.'
Powys County Times
38 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
India face anxious wait over scan results on Rishabh Pant's right foot
India are anxiously awaiting the results of scans on Rishabh Pant's right foot that could have considerable 'consequences' on the fourth Rothesay Test against England. Pant brought trademark chaos after India had slipped from 94 without loss to 140 for three at Emirates Old Trafford, slog sweeping Jofra Archer for four and belting Brydon Carse for a straight six. But he inside-edged a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes' yorker flush on to his boot, which he removed to reveal a foot that became increasingly swollen and bruised as he received lengthy treatment. 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress. — BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2025 Pant, who has made 462 runs at 77 in this series, retired hurt on 37 and was taken off the field in agony on a golf buggy, leaving his availability for the rest of the Test in major doubt. He went for scans and Sai Sudharsan, who top-scored with 61 in India's 264 for four and was at the other end when Pant was injured, admitted the tourists are waiting with baited breath on the outcome. 'He was in a lot of pain,' Sudharsan said. 'He's gone for scans and we'll get to know overnight. 'He was batting really well here. We miss a batter if he doesn't come back again, so it would definitely have consequences. We'll try to give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss.' England spinner Liam Dawson, who marked his first Test appearance in eight years by taking the prize wicket of India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 58, believes Pant's situation is bleak. 'Our thoughts are with him, it didn't look a great injury so I hope he's alright,' Dawson said. 'He's obviously a very good player but I can't see him taking much more part in this game.' Dawson admitted he thought his hopes of an England recall had vanished before Shoaib Bashir's Test summer was ended by a finger injury he sustained in last week's nail-biting win at Lord's. The 35-year-old claimed figures of one for 45 from 15 overs, having Jaiswal caught at slip for his first Test wicket in 2,929 days since dismissing ex-South Africa batter Hashim Amla at Trent Bridge. 'I've said to a few people that the age I'm at, I thought Test cricket was gone,' Dawson said. 'To be back involved is really cool and I've got to try and enjoy each day that I get. 'I do feel I'm a better bowler than what I was a few years ago. I was nervous. I'd not played for a number of years. The biggest thing for me is I understood what to expect whereas before, I didn't. 'Hopefully I'll get a couple more. It's one wicket, I've done nothing special.' However, Ashes 2005-winning captain Michael Vaughan has seen enough to convince him Dawson, rather than Bashir, should be England's frontline spinner for this winter's blockbuster Ashes series in Australia. It is Dawson's all-round abilities – he has more than 10,000 first-class runs with 18 hundreds and is regarded as a fine fielder – that makes him such an attractive option for Vaughan. 'He is a good cricketer,' Vaughan told the BBC'S Test Match Special. 'He has been around the blocks. He knows his game. You could see that from the first ball he bowled. 'I think England are a better team with him in the side. On the pitches we are seeing in the UK and potentially Australia, I want to see a batting line-up that is absolutely packed. 'He has the all-round package and for this England side, and going forward to Australia, they are stronger with this style of cricketer in it.'
