By Alan Carasso
Six European-based jockeys will square off against a half-dozen Hong Kong-based riders in the Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Hong Kong's Happy Valley Racecourse Wednesday, Dec. 9. Carrying prizemoney of HK$800,000 (£77,666/€86,943)–with a first prize of HK$500,000–the IJC is the most lucrative jockey competition in the world.
The foreign contingent is led by the duo of Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle, aged 22 and 24, respectively, and each of whom has celebrated a breakout season in 2020. Among Marquand's successes this season include the G1 QIPCO British Champion S. aboard Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), whom he also piloted to victories in the G1 Ranvet S. and G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth S. in Sydney. Doyle is set to become just the third female participant in the IJC, joining Chantal Sutherland and Emma-Jayne Wilson, and posted 129 victories this season, most ever for a female jockey in Britain. She earned a breakthrough Group 1 success on Champions Day, winning the G1 British Champions Sprint aboard Glen Shiel (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}).
Ryan Moore, a two-time IJC winner, and William Buick will make the trip to Hong Kong to represent, Britain, while France's Pierre-Charles Boudot, winner of two races at this month's Breeders' Cup meeting at Keeneland, and perennial leading jockey Mickael Barzalona are also set to participate.
The home team, which number six this season instead of the usual four, is led by Joao Moreira and Zac Purton, the top two in the 2020/2021 jockeys' premiership; defending IJC champion Karis Teetan; and Vincent Ho, who looks to have a pair of live mounts in the Longines Hong Kong International Races Dec. 13. The final two representatives will be announced following the Happy Valley meeting Nov. 25.
Visiting jockeys will undergo multiple COVID-19 tests prior to their arrival in Hong Kong and will go straight into their designated accommodations with strict quarantine protocols in place. They will also be under continuous medical surveillance by the Club's Chief Medical Office–including daily COVID-19 tests and twice daily temperature checks–and on IJC night at Happy Valley, the visiting riders will occupy a separate jockeys' rooms away from the Hong Kong-based riders.
In an effort to ensure that no rider draws a book of rides that is either too strong or too weak, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will employ a system whereby a group of handicappers will assess each of the runners before knowing the riding assignments and will render a final opinion following the IJC barrier draw Monday, Dec. 7.
The HKJC is also allocating HK$350,000 to award the trainers whose horses accumulate the most points in an effort to encourage their participation.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club has succeeded again in putting together an outstanding cast of riders and we are looking forward to a great night of sport set against the backdrop of one of the most iconic racecourses in the world,” said Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, for the HKJC. “We are so pleased that, with strict protocols in place, the event can be a truly international occasion. The prize money increases, which make this year's edition the richest yet, further reinforcing the prestige associated with the event.”
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