ENGLISH jockey Willie Ryan yesterday agreed terms with Gary Ng Ting-keung to become his stable rider for next season.
Ryan, currently attached to top Newmarket handler Henry Cecil, flew into the territory on Sunday with his wife Alison and left last night in a whistle-stop tour. He will be back riding at the Midlands track, Leicester, this afternoon.
He had a good look at Ng's team and also popped across to Happy Valley for a talk with chief stipendiary steward Bernard Hargreaves.
Ryan said: ''I'm definitely coming to ride for Gary next season. There have been no problems in agreeing terms.
''I'm looking forward to the fresh challenge immensely. I was very impressed when we went round the stable and feel I'm coming out here to ride for someone who is going places.'' Contracts will be signed once the Jockey Club have approved the retainer but that is no more than a formality.
Ryan, 28, besides finishing seventh in the British jockeys' standings last season with 105 winners, is soccer crazy.