By Scott Burton

The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley without Ryan Moore is almost unthinkable, and on Wednesday night (10 December), the 42-year-old will join 11 of the world’s elite riders for the 19th time in 20 years. 

That couldn’t have been taken for granted when the line-up was first announced a month ago, as Moore continued his recovery from a stress fracture of the femur, which was first revealed at the end of August. 

Paul Lally
R1: 2-7-3-9
R2: 7-6-4-1
R3: 3-7-2-5
R4: 7-11-5-1
R5: 12-6-3-10
R6: 2-10-1-4
R7: 3-4-5-6
R8: 3-6-9-12
R9: 11-7-3-2

Best Bet: R7 N3 Silvery Breeze
Longshot: R8 N3 Pakistan Legacy
Play: R4 QQP 5-7-11

Mark McNamara:
R1:  2.7.9.3
R2:  1.5.6.4
R3:  4.7.2.5
R4:  4.7.2.1
R5:  3.6.10.2
R6:  4.2.10.1
R7:  3.6.2.5
R8:  5.9.12.1
R9:  7.11.6.2

Best: R9 N7 Sky Heart
Longshot: R4 N4 Lean Master
Play: R9 Q/QP 6.7.11

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, December 10, 2025)

W Heart Bond had an excellent position as a stalker for the first seven furlongs of Sunday’s Grade 1 Champions Cup on dirt at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan.

The stretch run, however, tested the faith of her backers.

W Heart Bond took the lead with more than a furlong remaining and was fully extended to hold off a late threat from Wilson Tesoro and win by nose. The two ran together in the final strides, exchanging leads in a head-bobbing finish.

By Leo Schlink

Bidding to win a fourth successive HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) next Sunday (14 December) with Romantic Warrior, Danny Shum laid the foundations for renewed success at the flagship meeting with a double at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 December).

The ultra-consistent colt Narukami and equally reliable filly W Heart Bond start in the richest races of their careers in Sunday’s Grade 1 Champions Cup at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan.

They are expected to dominate betting in the $1.49 million Champions Cup, one of the richest races on dirt in Japan. The February Stakes, run on dirt, was worth $1.56 million earlier this year.

By Paul Ryding

David Eustace is aiming to maintain a rich vein of form at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 December) that has seen him climb the trainers’ standings in recent weeks, hoping it extends to next week’s HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races meeting.

Five wins from the last four Sha Tin meetings have ignited the second-season handler’s campaign after a slow start, and one of his best chances of adding to his seasonal tally of eight wins is Swift Ascend in the day’s sporting highlight, the Class 2 Chatham Handicap (1200m, dirt).

By Declan Schuster

Vincent Ho’s return from injury was a monumental comeback on its own, but now the 35-year-old has earned the opportunity to try and win another LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley next Wednesday night (10 December). 

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.

Paul Lally:
R1 1-3-12-11 
R2 10-3-6-1 
R3 6-7-10-2 
R4 3-13-10-5 
R5 8-2-3-10 
R6 2-7-5-6 
R7 3-7-8-11 
R8 1-3-12-7 
R9 2-1-4-14 
R10 1-13-2-4 
Best Bet: R8 N1 Bottomuptogether 
Longshot: R6 N2 Horsepower 
Play: R10 QQP 1-2-13