Antoine Hamelin will miss Happy Fat Cat more than most of the Hong Kong horse population but it might not be too long before he’s reunited with a galloper he’s saluted aboard three times.

Preparing to move back to France at the end of the 2024-25 season, Hamelin may be joined by one of the gallopers he’s had the most success with during his five-year stint in Hong Kong.

“He might be a horse I will have in my stables in France, so maybe I won’t miss him for so long,” said Hamelin of Happy Fat Cat, confirming he has had conversations with owner Admund Au Chi-hoe about allowing the six-year-old to spend his retirement at his Chantilly property.

“Maybe he will come back to my house in France when he retires. There’s no plans to retire him yet but once he does, there’s a chance he comes over to me in France.”

Two of Hamelin’s seven victories this season have come aboard Happy Fat Cat and the pair will chase further success in Wednesday night’s Class Three Wyndham Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley.

Victorious after leading throughout from gate 11 last start, the Cody Mo Wai-kit-trained Happy Fat Cat will find life easier from gate two on Wednesday night but he sits on a career-high rating of 78 and will have to lump top weight of 135lbs.

“He’s been amazing – he’s a lovely horse. I really enjoy riding him and it’s always a pleasure. He’s done really well and he deserves what he gets. I’m glad to be back on him again,” said Hamelin.

“That’s very good news for us, to have a good gate, but his rating is a bit high now so he will have some weight on his back. I’m sure he will still be competitive. His form is still there so I’m confident and happy.”

Spicy Spangle is another galloper Hamelin has saluted aboard this season but he’s hopeful rather than confident ahead of the Class Four Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (1,000m).

“His rating is also likely a bit high. He’s always there, always competitive and he gives me his best, but always the last 100m he seems to tire a bit,” said Hamelin.

“I need to save him as much as possible. He’s definitely a horse who could place but I think his rating might be a bit high now to win – I hope I’m wrong.”

Hamelin isn’t setting any specific targets for his final two months in Hong Kong, with the Frenchman just keen to add as many winners as possible to the 106 he’s already snared in the city.

“I will just do my best until the last day. It’s going to be sad to leave Hong Kong so I’m not really thinking about it now,” he said.

Hamelin confirmed there are a number of reasons he has chosen to move home. The pull of family is strong for he and wife Marion, while their three-year-old son, Matheo, starts school next year.

“We really enjoy everything here and there’s not many things I won’t miss,” said Hamelin, who plans to start riding in France within a few weeks of returning.

“I will miss my friends. I have a lot of friends here after five years, either in racing or in the climbing community, because I am doing a lot of rock climbing here.

“Another thing is the amount of free time we have here – I’m going to miss the free time I have for my family.”