World-Class Riders to Gather at the Valley

Eight overseas-based jockeys will face four of their local counterparts with HK$800,000 up for grabs in the Longines International Jockeys' Championship to be held at iconic Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Hugh Bowman is the defending champion of the IJC, having posted a victory in the first of the four legs of the series before holding off the re-opposing Ryan Moore–the 2010 IJC hero-to scoop the HK$500,000 first prize. The latter, who was named the Longines World's Best Jockey during Hong Kong International Races week in 2016, trails Bowman for that distinction this year. Bowman, a perennial leading rider in Sydney, is the regular partner of supermare Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}). Joao Moreira has established and broken records left and right since his arrival in Hong Kong, and the Brazilian will try to double his IJC win tally, having outpointed Zac Purton in 2012.

Moreira will be joined by a pair of his compatriots in the IJC. Silvestre de Sousa recently wrapped up a second riding title in the United Kingdom and has ridden with some success on occasional visits to Hong Kong. A fresh face on the scene is Leandro Henrique, a champion in Rio de Janeiro and the current leading rider at Gavea Racecourse.

Representing France is Pierre-Charles Boudot, who recorded better than 300 wins last year, while his countryman Flavien Prat will fly in from Southern California to represent the United States. Prat guided Battle of Midway (Smart Strike) to a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 3. Japan's Keita Tosaki is a three-time champ on the JRA circuit and has finished third in each of the last two renewals of the IJC. Cristian Demuro is a two-time Italian champion and is currently on a short-term contract in Japan, riding alongside his brother Mirco Demuro. The final three spots will be determined following racing at Happy Valley Nov. 22 and will be awarded to the top two highest-ranked jockeys and the leading local jockey.

“The Longines IJC is not only the richest jockey challenge in the world but also the most exciting,” said Anthony Kelly, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Racing Authority. “Every December, the Hong Kong Jockey Club attracts outstanding jockeys to Happy Valley's iconic floodlit circuit for a thrilling night of great sport. This year's event will pitch the world's very best established riders against some of the most talented rising stars from across the globe.”