Vincent Ho Chak-yiu had to settle for third aboard Lady Mary in Sunday’s Group One Henkel-Preis der Diana – German Oaks (2,200m) at Düsseldorf as he continues his summer stint in Europe.

Ho kicked off his working holiday with a win at Pontefract on July 19 but hasn’t tasted success since, with a best finish of second from nine rides at the prestigious Goodwood Festival last week, however he remains unfazed.

“I drove for four hours to ride one unplaced horse in a Class Five race at Musselburgh a couple of weeks ago but that’s no problem as the whole experience is good for me,” said Ho, who is basing himself at Charlie Johnston’s Yorkshire yard and will head to Paris this week to catch some Olympic action.

“Everything I do here in Europe, from riding the two-year-olds and fillies on steep gallops and in races on very different racetracks like Düsseldorf, is valuable.

“It’s something I love and I’m sure it helps me to improve and go back to Hong Kong as a better rider. It’s the final of the individual showjumping on Tuesday and I’m really looking forward to being there.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Ryan Moore or Christophe Soumillon in racing or Lewis Hamilton in F1 or the Olympic showjumpers, I always love seeing how top sportsmen handle things on big days.”

Harry Bentley is also riding in the United Kingdom and while he also went winless at Goodwood, the Englishman stole the show with a double at Newmarket on Friday.

Bentley, who got the chocolates aboard Godolphin two-year-old Shadow Of Light for Charlie Appleby and James Owen’s Noisy Jazz, will pick and choose his rides before heading back to Hong Kong on August 30.

“It hasn’t been my intention to ride much during the summer break – the plan has always been to recharge physically and mentally – but it’s been a good week and it would be nice to have a few rides at York’s Ebor Festival if the chance arises,” he said.

Alexis Badel is also plying his trade in Europe during the Hong Kong off-season, finishing fifth and 14th from two rides at Deauville, while Lyle Hewitson began his stint in Australia with five winless rides at Pakenham on Monday.

Mickley joins Size

Impressive Royal Ascot winner Mickley has joined John Size’s stable as prominent owners the Siu family continue to chase a maiden victory in the Hong Kong Derby.

Bought by the Sius before his victory in June’s Britannia Stakes (1,600m) at the famous meeting, Mickley treads a similar path to Waipiro, who was brought to Hong Kong by the prominent owners after winning the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes (2,000m) at Royal Ascot last year.

Also trained by Size, Waipiro sustained a tendon injury and never raced in Hong Kong.

The Sius will be hoping Mickley can go one better than Waikuku, who carried the family’s colours into second under the tutelage of Size in the 2019 Derby.