Smullen Returns To Pregnant Wife Pat Smullen has cut short his working holiday in Hong Kong to return home to Ireland for the final month of his wife Frances Crowley's pregnancy.The former Irish champion rider, whose Hong Kong contract began in mid-December and was due to expire on March 23, was granted permission for his early departure by the Hong Kong Jockey Club`s Licensing Committee. He will fly back to Ireland after fulfilling his final engagements at Sha Tin on Saturday. The HKJC had already agreed to grant Smullen a week`s leave to attend the birth of the couple`s first child, which is due on February 23, but the jockey said: 'I have been away from home for a long time having been in America before coming to Hong Kong. Frances and the staff at the yard have done a great job with the training, but I decided it was time I went back to help out at home.' Smullen, who has failed to partner a winner during his short stint in Hong Kong, added: 'I had hoped to ride a few winners while I was here but, as everyone knows, it`s very competitive and most of the jockeys are very well established here. It`s difficult if you haven`t got the contacts.'
