By Paul Ryding
Hugh Bowman believes this year’s LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on 10 December is wide open, with the winner of the annual showcase likely to be decided by the luck of the draw.
The 12 elite riders who will compete at the 2025 edition will gather for the Jockeys’ Allocation, which determines each of the jockeys’ rides on the night, at a traditional ceremony in Hong Kong on 8 December.
By Leo Schlink
Ka Ying Rising, the world’s top-rated sprinter, has delighted David Hayes in his final fast turf gallop ahead of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (LONGINES HKIR) on 14 December as a string of local contenders sharpened preparations with barrier trials at Sha Tin today (Thursday, 4 December).
Ka Ying Rising will attempt to match Golden Sixty’s feat of winning 16 races in a row – a streak bettered only by Silent Witness (17 wins) as a Hong Kong, China-trained horse – when he tackles the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) next week.
By Maddy Playle
No nine-year-old horse has ever won the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), but Khaadem is no ordinary horse.
He defied odds of 80/1 for a sensational victory in Britain’s premier sprint, the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m), in 2023 and became the race’s oldest winner when successful as an eight-year-old last year.
By Scott Burton
It says plenty for the prestige attached to the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) that reigning champion Mickael Barzalona can place last year’s wire-to-wire success among his highlights for the last 12 months.
In a dazzling 2025, Barzalona has scored maiden victories in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m), G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m) and G1 Japan Cup (2400m), while adding win number two at both the Breeders’ Cup and in the G1 Champion Stakes (2000m).
By Leo Schlink
Caspar Fownes accelerated a familiar title push with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (3 December) as the four-time Hong Kong champion trainer edged to within three wins of Mark Newnham at the top of the standings.
Fownes struck with Perfect General (132lb) in the Class 4 American Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) under Vincent Ho before Joy Of Spring (129lb) triumphed under Ellis Wong in the Class 3 High Island Handicap (1800m) to leave Fownes with 20 wins for the season – three shy of Newnham (23) and one ahead of David Hayes (19).
Nearing 100 career wins in Hong Kong, championship-leading trainer Mark Newnham is hoping to convert on Wednesday (3 December) at Happy Valley when Lunar Dash (135lb) takes his place in the second section of the Class 4 Tai Tam Handicap (1200m).
Expatriate trainer Newnham has adapted to Hong Kong racing easily, posting 98 winners in the city after arriving ahead of the 2023/24 season. He saddles seven chances tomorrow evening, led by lightly-raced sprinter Lunar Dash’s pairing with Zac Purton.
Calandagan, Europe’s 2025 Horse of the Year, is pretty good far from home, too.
On Sunday, Calandagan became the first foreign-based horse to win the Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan in 20 years with a thrilling victory over the domestic star Masquerade Ball.
The two were separated by a head after running 1 1/2 miles in course-record time of 2:20.30. The previous mark of 2:20.60 was set by Almond Eye in the 2018 Japan Cup.
