Craig Williams to leave Britain

Australian jockey Craig Williams revealed today he is to end his stint in Britain on Saturday, with hopes of clinching a job in Hong Kong or Dubai for the winter.

But he vowed to return next year, even though his second season in this country has not been as successful as his first and has been marked by a well-publicised falling-out with trainer Mick Channon.

Williams, whose victory in the Dewhurst Stakes on Channon`s Tobougg was one of 43 he recorded in Britain in 2000, has been largely out of the big-race picture this year.

He said: 'I have three rides at Thirsk on Saturday then I am booked on a flight to Australia on Sunday.

'It is starting to get a bit colder, the races are starting to get a bit scarcer and I have no ties to any good horse to keep me here.

'I will have a couple of weeks off then I have to put in a couple of applications to ride in Hong Kong and Dubai. If I am not lucky enough to get one of those jobs I will ride in Australia - the Spring Carnival is coming up.

'It has been different this time. But I have still ridden 25 winners, the experience has been great, I love your racing and I will definitely come back next year.

'I have still enjoyed it - hell, I am an Aussie and we won the Ashes and almost won the Wimbledon final too!'