A JOCKEY who was lovingly compared to Mr Bean by his rivals has had the last laugh – after quitting British racing for Hong Kong.
Superstar Andrea Atzeni, 32, has won £27million in prize money and his haul of big-race wins includes two Goodwood Cups, a Juddmonte and King George.
Atzeni was famed for big-race winners in Britain but will now look to rake in mega cash in Hong Kong
But after splitting from trainer Roger Varian and losing a number of high-profile rides, he has decided to leave Britain for the riches in the Far East.
Atzeni, who is from Sardinia like Frankie Dettori and a similarly big part of the weighing room, will depart in September after the York Ebor.
Fellow former British rider Silvestre De Sousa left his rivals back in Blighty jealous with his ‘unbelievable’ earnings after going to Hong Kong.
And Atzeni hopes the same will be true for him.
He said: “It’s an opportunity that came along at the right time.
“It hasn’t been any easy decision but I came to the conclusion that I am at the stage of my career where Hong Kong could be the next step.
“England isn’t getting any easier. I am 32 now and I am going to move and try my luck in Hong Kong.
“I have a six-month contract and I hope to do well enough to be able to extend it.”
Atzeni’s deal is live now and will officially run until February 12 next year.
De Sousa told Sun Racing about the cut-throat nature of racing in Hong Kong, where jockeys desperately fight it out to ride the best horses.
He said: “There is nowhere else in the world like it and the racing is just as fast-paced.
“Networking is a part of the job of a jockey over here, I have regular catch ups with owners and trainers, you can’t afford to be complacent.
“If you don’t answer the phone or you don’t see a text message straight away you will lose a ride, it’s as simple as that.
“You have to be on the ball in Hong Kong. It’s very competitive over here and within a couple of minutes another jockey will take your horse.
“And just because you win on a horse it doesn’t mean you’re going to keep the ride. Sometimes several jockeys can have a turn in the same season.
You can’t afford to make mistakes, if you mess up you won’t ride the horse again. So you have to be very sharp and totally focussed.
“It can be very intense but at the same time, the prize-money and the competition are incredible. It’s an amazing place to ride.”
