American superstar Gary Stevens is poised for a mid-season return to Hong Kong after announcing he is moving to England as stable jockey to Sir Michael Stoute.
The three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey is expected to move to Newmarket after the running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday and will be officially Stoute's number-one rider until the end of the season in November.
Stevens, whose wife Nikki is English, has been angling for a move to Britain for some time.
Ironically, it was a meeting in Hong Kong with Stoute last December which set the wheels firmly in motion.
Stevens said: 'It is pretty well known that I have wanted to ride in Britain for some time and we talked about it when I met Michael in Hong Kong. He was very encouraging about it. It has taken time but now it is going to happen and I am thrilled about it.
'And there is no question of me hopping back and forth to America - I am now committed to riding in Britain.' Stoute, who has supported Hong Kong's International Races in the past, has not officially had a stable jockey since Walter Swinburn left the position four years ago.
Stoute said: 'I expect to have Gary here by June 1. He could ride in the Derby but there is the lingering possibility of a commitment in the Belmont Stakes on the same day.
