Twelve of the world’s leading Flat riders, including Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and William Buick, have joined forces to create what is being billed as a revolutionary global jockeys’ league that is expected to launch across some of the sport’s most prestigious racing venues early next year.
Newsmaker and multiple champion Frankie Dettori (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The Racing Post has reported that James McDonald, Joao Moreira and Zac Purton also feature on the roster of stars who have made a firm commitment to compete annually in up to ten events, with the stated aim of making racing more appealing to a young audience, while at the same time providing an engaging product for existing fans.
Each of the 12 jockeys will compete for points under their own individual team branding and will ride in the same silks at each of the six-race fixtures.
In addition to being shareholders in the league, the 12 jockeys will own equity in their team and act as team principal for their franchise.
Organisers are now seeking to secure commercial partners for the overall competition and its 12 teams, with the aim of securing a total prize fund of $15 million within two years.
Christophe Lemaire, Mickael Barzalona, Yutaka Take, Irad Ortiz Jr, Flavien Prat and Vincent Ho have also signed up to a venture that has been co-founded by BHA board member and former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson and Lachlan Fitt, a senior figure with Entain’s Australia and New Zealand business from 2018 until earlier this year.
“The line-up of jockeys that has been assembled from across the world is incredibly strong and I’m excited about the prospect of being able to contribute to generating increased interest in the sport of horseracing globally,” said Moore, who will almost certainly be seen taking part in the league on home soil, with Ascot and York thought to be potential British venues.
Hong Kong hero Zac Purton (Pic – HKJC)
Leopardstown, the Curragh, Longchamp and Chantilly are also believed to be possible European bases for a series that could ultimately be made up of ten dates, with hosting rights for the first three years due to be agreed over the coming months.
“It’s unique to get a group of jockeys of this calibre together from every corner of the globe,” said Buick, triumphant in the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket over the weekend.
“I think we all realise we need to drive change in the way our sport is marketed globally. The league is an amazing concept and the ownership model will allow me to use my profile to grow awareness of the sport across a broader audience in the years ahead.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the league get off the ground in 2026 and I’m excited about the opportunity to compete against the very best jockeys all over the world.”
With jockeys at the heart of an initiative that will be heavily media driven, the league’s races will not be framed to attract the sport’s best horses or compete with existing Pattern races. It is, however, being designed “to complement the existing global racing calendar”, which means fixtures are expected to be held in close proximity to existing high-profile festivals.
Fitt told the Racing Post: “Racing currently lacks a globally coordinated platform to promote the sport and we’re being left behind by other major sports globally in terms of creating global icons that fans can engage with.
“I am delighted to see this amazing group of jockeys come together and while it is early days, we’re very pleased with the response we’ve had from potential host venues and commercial partners.
“The franchise-based league structure allows a range of commercial and investment opportunities to be progressed and we firmly believe the concept we’ve developed with our foundation jockeys can help revolutionise global horseracing in the coming years.”
Fitt also commented on the absence of female riders from the line-up, stating: “As we establish and then grow the league we look forward to having the best female jockeys in the world being involved. We are evaluating a number of growth opportunities following the initial launch season that would both expand the reach of the league and see more global icons put in the spotlight.”
Mickael Barzalona (Pic – HKJC)
While Moore and Buick are contracted to the sport’s two superpowers, Coolmore and Godolphin, the other ten riders also have close links to some of the industry’s leading operations, one of which, the Aga Khan Studs, has backed the league through the involvement of its jockey, Barzalona, who said: “It’s been great to see such a positive response from major industry leaders and I’m delighted to have the blessing and support of Princess Zahra Aga Khan to allow me to be part of the league, all with the goal of growing the number of racing fans for the long-term benefit of the entire industry.”
www.racingpost.com
