De Sousa takes on some familiar faces as he defends Hong Kong crown

Silvestre de Sousa is out to defend his Longines International Jockeys' Championship crown in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning when he will take on 11 world class rivals, including three fellow British champions in Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Oisin Murphy.

The four-race competition, staged as part of a nine-race card at Happy Valley, also features local high flyers Joao Moreira, Zac Purton, Karis Teetan and C Y Ho while from further afield come Pierre Charles Boudot (France), Colin Keane (Ireland) Yuga Kawada (Japan) and James McDonald (Australia).

De Sousa, who kicks off his defence on Very Sweet Orange in a sprint handicap, said: "The IJC is a different kind of experience because you draw the rides and race against the best jockeys in the world.

"You need the talent – you need to get on the best horses on the night, but you can't doubt the other jockeys, they are the best in the world."

Happy Valley card

De Sousa, who is spending his second winter in Hong Kong, knows all about Happy Valley having registered 24 wins at the unique venue.

He said: "It's a night when you need a lot of luck, so you need luck with the draw and the horses you ride.

"I go around there and I know what I'm doing, I know what speed I'm going and I go out there with plenty of confidence that if the horse is good enough he'll deliver for me."

Joao Moreira: looking to strike in the Longines International Jockeys' ChampionshipCredit: Getty Images

Joao Moreira believes a fast start in leg one of the IJC could be key to his chances of adding to his one previous victory in the star-studded event back in 2012.

Moreira will ride the Tony Millard-trained Strathallan in the opening race of four.

He said: “It's such a big event and it’s a pleasure to be back in it against all these top jockeys and my rides don’t seem too bad."

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