Michael Freedman has informed the Club that for personal reasons he must relinquish his training licence and will return to Australia.

The process of ensuring that all horses in the Freedman stable are moved to other trainers selected by their owners is now under way.

In addition, the Jockey Club’s Head of Dual Site Stables Operations and Owners Services, K L Cheng, will work with his team and all relevant horse owners to minimize any inconvenience.

“[My wife] Anna and I have decided to return to Australia to be closer to our children,” Freedman said in a statement.

“While we have enjoyed the challenges of training in Hong Kong, we feel it is in the best interests of our family to return home. I am grateful to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the opportunity."

“I am really looking forward to settling back in Sydney where racing is in a fantastic period of growth and progression. I am in the process of exploring opportunities for the next stage of my career.”

In an unusual incident the trained got off on the back foot at the start of his training career in Hong Kong as nine horses ran around in his walking machine uncontrollably for about eight to 10 minutes with one horse euthanised while none where involved again.

He has had an unsuccessful stint in Hong Kong with only 14 winners in his first season and only 3 to date this season. His horse count dropped from 48 last year to 24 now.

There are two trainer vacancies in Hong Kong now.