Stevens invited to Hong Kong

Gary Stevens has been invited by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to represent the United States in the fourth International Jockeys Championship at Happy Valley Racetrack on Dec. 12.

Stevens is one of eight foreign riders and two local jockeys invited to compete in three races for a first-place prize of $38,460 in the event ,which begins a week of festivities culminating in the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Dec. 16.

The other foreign invitees are Michael Kinane (Ireland), Olivier Peslier (France), Frankie Dettori (UAE), Andrasch Starke (Germany), Kevin Darley (Britain), Yutaka Take (Japan), Damien Oliver (Australia), and Shane Dye (New Zealand). Hong Kong will be represented by their defending champion, Doug Whyte, and their current leading rider, Simon Yim.