Competition fierce as final LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship spots remain in contention

By Declan Schuster

Two spots remain on the sought-after LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) roster before the final line-up is confirmed following Wednesday night’s (26 November) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Vincent Ho (11 wins) leads Jerry Chau (10) in the race for a prized berth available to the leading homegrown rider. Both Ho and Chau have four mounts on Wednesday, while Luke Ferraris (15) holds a slender one-win advantage over Hugh Bowman (14) in the place designated to the next highest-ranked Hong Kong-based jockey.

Bowman, who won the 2016 LONGINES IJC, said: “It’s fantastic. I think it leads the way as far as jockeys’ challenges go around the world; it’s always a great night to be a part of, and I’ve had the privilege of being involved many times now.

“Hopefully, I can add another one to the list. It will depend on results tomorrow night.”

Ferraris is booked for four rides, while Bowman has five, led by Hakka Radiance (129lb) in the Class 4 St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich Handicap (1800m). The British import is bidding for a fourth consecutive win for trainer Danny Shum.

“I’ve ridden him in a gallop between his last win and this start – he feels fantastic. He’s really in a great vein of form and hopefully he can continue his winning ways,” Bowman said. “He just looks really well and he’s enjoying his racing.

The LONGINES IJC is the most lucrative jockey challenge in the world for the winning rider, who receives HK$600,000 if successful on Wednesday, 10 December at Happy Valley. Second place takes home HK$250,000, while third collects HK$150,000.

Zac Purton returns to the LONGINES IJC as last season’s leading rider. He will be joined by defending champion Mickael Barzalona, James McDonald, Christophe Lemaire, Joao Moreira, Umberto Rispoli, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, William Buick and Ryan Moore (subject to fitness).

Ho, winner of the 2023 LONGINES IJC, said: “You treat every race the same, you want to win races and that’s it. Of course, just to do my best and if it comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, I’m proud of myself after seven months off – I’m still competing with these guys.”

Renowned for Group 1 success with Golden Sixty, Loves Only You, Stronger and Southern Legend, Ho has 621 wins in Hong Kong. The highly respected rider returned from serious injury this season, and has ridden three winners from his past eight rides.

Ho’s four rides finish with first-up winner King Miles (131lb) for trainer Francis Lui in the Class 3 Culloden Bridge Handicap (1200m), from gate nine.

“He’s fine. He’s a nice horse and last time, surprisingly, he was really quick with the blinkers, of course, in his last two starts. He’s showing freshness and he’s feeling well. Hopefully, he can do better tomorrow,” Ho said.

Karis Teetan is seeking consecutive wins aboard Kyrus Dragon (135lb) for trainer David Hall in the Culloden Bridge Handicap. The chestnut galloper has won three times over tomorrow night’s course and distance.

“He won a nice race. I think, when he’s fresh he’s a better horse. It’s been a while since his last run, but you can see even his second-up runs are pretty good. He’s got a nice gate again (four),” Teetan said.

If riders are locked on the same number of wins, selection for the LONGINES IJC spots will then be decided on a countback of second placings, then thirds if required.

Wednesday’s (26 November) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Forth Road Bridge Handicap (1200m).