Harry Bentley, 31, rode over 500 winners on British soil between 2009 and 2020, but found international fame in the Middle East, in the United Arab Emirates and, most notably, in Qatar. As second-choice rider to Qatar Racing, under the auspices of Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Thani, he was Qatar Champion Jockey six times between 2013/14 and 2018/19. However, while wintering in Dubai in 2020, Bentley received an unexpected offer of a contract in Hong Kong and, in his own words, ‘…it just seemed right to give it a go’.
Bentley began riding, full-time, in Hong Kong in April 2021 and, after just five winners in his debut season in the jurisdiction, increased his seasonal tally to 25 winners in both 2021/22 and 2022/23. He has also made strong start to the 2023/24 campaign, riding a further seven winners but, on November 3, 2023, he was, rather mysteriously, stood down from riding in races, barrier trials and trackwork by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJK). Bentley was subsequently charged with, and plead guilty to improper conduct, leading to a two-month suspension, until January 3, 2024, and a fine of HK$300,000, or £31,379.
Bentley admitted to what the HKJK called ‘improper communication’ with a unnamed individual, who provided him with a private phone for the purpose, insofar as he passed on information about horses he was riding in return for potential payment, although any such payment did not, in fact, materialise. Despite his guilty plea, he told the ‘Racing Post’, ‘I want to be extremely clear that this charge is in no way related to giving tips, betting, wagering, race-fixing or accepting payment ahead of race-riding.’ He also stated that the charge related to ‘an isolated incident’.