David Egan relishing first crack at World All-Star Jockeys series this weekend

David Egan is relishing the opportunity to compete against some of the world's best in Japan for the first time, with the Group 1-winning rider set to take part in the World All-Star Jockeys series this weekend.

Egan is no stranger to major international success, having won the Saudi Cup and Sheema Classic on Mishriff last year, but will break new ground in the two-day event at Sapporo racecourse.

The 23-year-old's uncle Richard Hughes won the challenge in 2013 under its previous title, the World Super Jockey Series, and Egan is thrilled to be the only British or Irish-based rider taking part this year.

"It's a real honour and a dream really. I was asked by the JRA [Japan Racing Association] a couple of months ago and I jumped at the opportunity," he said.

"The prize-money in Japan is phenomenal and the standard of racing is at a very high level. To experience another country I've not ridden in before is another feather in my cap."

Ryan Moore and Johnny Murtagh also won the event when it was staged at Hanshin racecourse, and Egan has spoken to weighing-room colleagues for advice before he travels to Japan on Thursday.

Ryan Moore: a former winner of the seriesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

He added: "Hayley Turner and Jamie Spencer did it too in Sapporo and I've spoken to quite a number of jockeys. There's three turf races and one dirt race – two races on Saturday and two on Sunday – and it's done on a Shergar Cup-type of points system.

"Hopefully I can get some good rides picked out of the hat. There are ten other races on each day and I have an agent working over there, so hopefully I'll pick up a few other mounts."

Craig Williams, who won the event in 2007, Theo Bachelot, Christophe Lemaire and Japanese racing legend Yutaka Take will be among Egan's rivals, and he hopes a successful weekend could be the start of some fruitful stints in Japan.

"I'm looking at getting a short-term licence there in the future and it could be a stepping stone towards that," he added.

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