Dougie Whyte, the reigning champion and 3 times IJC champion. 12 top class jockeys from eight countries and regions come together at Happy Valley to battle for this years title.
Reigning Champion Douglas Whyte will be joined by Zac Purton and Keith Yeung as Hong Kong’s representatives in the 2013 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship on Wednesday 4 December, when 12 top class jockeys from eight countries and regions come together at Happy Valley to battle for the title.
Purton is currently the leading jockey in the Hong Kong’s premiership, while Yeung is the leading local jockey. This pair have therefore been allocated the two remaining places. In accordance with the prospectus for the LONGINES IJC races, Yeung’s normal two-pound weight allowance will not be applicable in the four legs of this event.
The full list of 12 jockeys who will participate in the 2013 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship is as follows:
Country/Region Jockey Remarks
Australia Kerrin McEvoy Darley’s rider in Australia. Winner of 44 G1 races around the world including the Melbourne Cup
Belgium Christophe Soumillon Five-time champion in France & joint winner of the 2004 IJC.
France Maxime Guyon French star with 20 career G1 wins. Rode Ambitious Dragon to HK Derby glory.
Italy Mirco Demuro Five-time Italian champion & G1 ace in Japan Won 2011 Dubai World Cup.
Japan Suguru Hamanaka The winning-most jockey at JRA racecourses in 2012 who landed the G1 February Stakes this year.
UK Richard Hughes Twice UK champion, with 2 British Classic wins this season and 38 career G1 victories.
UK Ryan Moore Three-time UK champion jockey, twice IJC winner & winner of 36 G1 races.
USA Gary Stevens Over 5,000 global career wins & back from retirement for more G1 glory this year. Won recent Breeders’ Cup Classic.
USA Mike Smith Zenyatta’s regular rider & Breeders’ Cup all-time leading jockey. Over 5,000 career wins & 15 G1 wins this year.
Hong Kong Douglas Whyte 13-time Hong Kong champion jockey & three-time IJC winner.
Hong Kong Zac Purton Second in Hong Kong jockey’s premiership last season; Runner-up on his IJC debut in 2012.
Hong Kong Keith Yeung Hong Kong’s champion apprentice in 2009/10. Making his IJC debut this year.
The Magnificent Race Days
LONGINES Hong Kong International Races – Since 24 January 1988 when the first Hong Kong Invitation Cup was run, and with the continual success in the past two decades, LONGINES Hong Kong International Races has proudly become one of the most important fixtures for jockeys and owners from all across the globe. Recognized as “Turf World Championships”, LONGINES Hong Kong International Races offer some of the world’s richest race prize. Every year, the event attracts the globe’s leading trainers, jockeys and horses to compete for the glory.
LONGINES Hong Kong International Races comprise four Group One races on turf, namely the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000M), the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600M), the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400M) and the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200M).
The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races offer excellent prize money of HK$72 million in total.
Prior to the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, the very popular LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship will be held at Happy Valley racecourse on Wednesday night in addition to a variety of spectacular programmes to make the most prestigious event on Hong Kong’s sporting calendar a feast of world class racing on the second Sunday in December.
Event Date:
LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship – 4 December 2013
LONGINES Hong Kong International Races – 8 December 2013
