BEN THOMPSON BACK IN BUSINESS IN QUEENSLAND

By Graham Potter | Thursday, July 24, 2025

Ben Thompson is back in familiar territory … well almost.

He and wife Stehanie have kicked off their return to Queensland with the birth of a baby daughter … their second child.

How good is that!

“All’s good,” enthused Thompson. “It’s been an action-packed period between the arrival of our little boy and now.

"He was only four months when we moved to Hong Kong (at very short notice) … and then to have been there for seventeen months and now welcome a little girl into the world … it’s been incredible. We are very lucky.”

And it is from that happy setting … a contented family life … that Thompson will launch the next phase of his riding career after gaining that invaluable riding experience in Hong Kong, one of the most competitive racing precincts in the world.

“I am stepping into familiar territory having experienced racing in Queensland before, but I’m by no means taking anything for granted,” said Thompson.

“I did transition from Melbourne to Queensland racing previously, and obviously I’m in a much better position than I was when I arrived here back in 2020 in terms of that familiarity … and especially now also having the international experience in Hong Kong under my belt … yeah, looking to getting back to business and making every post a winner.”

The stint in Hong Kong is almost certain to have improved Thompson’s ability in the saddle … as it does for most riders willing to put in the hard yards and apply a concentrated focus, so you would imagine Thompson’s arrival to be a case of ‘rivals beware’ because the last time Thompson completed a full season in Australia he finished on a massive ninety-three winners which placed him second in the Brisbane Jockey’s Premiership.

"When you get deeper into the season, numbers can become targets at times but you basically are always trying to get better,: said Thompson.

"Time will only tell and results will show what Hong Kong has done for me both in and out of the saddle.

“I felt like entering Hong Kong was a new chapter. That’s come to a close … and now stepping into the next chapter. I’m very excited for it. Looking forward to it.

“When I knew I was coming back I did get in touch with trainers that I had good support from in the past. Between the two of us, myself and my agent Glen Courtney, we gave notice of my upcoming availability and got the ball rolling.”

Riding back in Queensland brings some very real changes to the way Thompson will be spending his time compared to the Hong Kong experience.

On the plus side, with Glen Courtney working the phones, Thompson will be able to concentrate fully on his riding whereas in Hong Kong he was responsible for sourcing his own rides.

Weighed against that is the more demanding riding schedule locally as opposed to Hong Kong where they only race twice a week.

But Thompson has been there and done that, so that change rightly holds no fears for him.

“With two kids now, its going ti take a bit of juggling between Steph and myself. We’ll make it work,” said Thompson confidently.

“Hopefully there is a bit of baby luck on the way in the saddle.”

Thompson will have his first rides next Saturday (August 2).