Who is riding in the International Jockeys' Championship? Plus everything you need to know about the Happy Valley action

The International Jockeys’ Championship is Hong Kong’s annual showdown where top riders from around the world compete for points across four key races at Happy Valley. Here is everything you need to know . . .

What is the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship?

The Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) is one of the sport’s premier riding competitions, staged each December at Happy Valley. It brings together a select group of world-class riders who go head-to-head for one of the most coveted individual honours in the saddle and a massive prize fund.

Twelve jockeys – a mix of Hong Kong-based riders and leading international names – contest four designated handicap races on the card. Rides are randomly allocated to ensure as level a playing field as possible.

Points are awarded in each leg, with 12 for a win, six for second and four for third. The jockey with the highest total after the final race is crowned IJC champion, while the next two in the standings also earn a bonus. The overall prize pot for the four races is HK$7.5 million (£723,000/€827,381).

WATCH: A preview for all the action at Happy Valley on Wednesday

For Hong Kong the meeting serves as the curtain-raiser to its international week and attracts a strong crowd. It provides local fans with a rare chance to watch some of the best riders from Europe, Australia and the United States competing directly against their local-based stars.

Who are the jockeys competing?

Mickael Barzalona

Mickael Barzalona after riding Calandagan to win Champion StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

As the Aga Khan Studs’ retained rider, Mickael Barzalona has enjoyed a phenomenal year, partnering horses such as Calandagan, Daryz and Zarigana to a string of major victories, including top-tier European Group 1 races such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He heads to Hong Kong looking to defend his crown after claiming the title in last year’s IJC.

• Best record in the IJC: Winner (2024)
• Base country: France
• Number of IJC appearances: Six
• IJC rides (in race order): Cap Liner, Amazing Gaze, Ivy League, Pakistan Legacy 

Hugh Bowman

Hugh Bowman (left): won the Silver Saddle at this year's Shergar CupCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Hugh Bowman is best known for his legendary partnership with Winx, riding the Australian superstar to 25 Group 1 wins and four Cox Plates. A former Australian champion jockey with more than 100 top-level victories, he has also enjoyed major success in Hong Kong, including Derby wins and the 2016 IJC. Bowman is also a two-time Silver Saddle winner at the Shergar Cup in Britain.

• Best record in the IJC: Winner (2016)
• Base country: Hong Kong
• Number of IJC appearances: Seven
• IJC rides: Zeta Hedge, Forever Glorious, Silvery Breeze, Power Koepp  

William Buick

William Buick after his success on Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Godolphin’s retained rider heads to Hong Kong for his fifth IJC, still seeking a first top-four finish, but he arrives in form after a stellar year highlighted by Group 1 wins on Ombudsman, Trawlerman, Ruling Court, Desert Flower and Notable Speech.

• Best record in the IJC: Fifth (2020)
• Number of IJC appearances: Four
• Base country: Britain
• IJC rides: Bunta Baby, Chain Of Gold, Viva Graciousness, Bundle Of Charm  

Hollie Doyle

Hollie Doyle: heads to the IJC for the sixth year in a rowCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Doyle has continued to break new ground for female riders and earlier this year she became the winningmost female Flat jockey in Britain. She has spent the last month getting familiar with racing in Hong Kong as part of her winter stint away from Britain. From her five attempts, she has twice finished runner-up in the IJC.

• Best record in the IJC: Runner-up (2021, 24)
• Number of IJC appearances: Five
• Base country: Britain
• IJC rides: Star Performer, Yiu Cheung Victory, Thriving Brothers, Mr Desira  

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu

Vincent Ho: rode at Glorious Goodwood in 2024Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu is Hong Kong’s leading homegrown rider, best known for his big-race partnership with Golden Sixty, with whom he has won multiple Group 1s and the Hong Kong Mile three times. He made history by becoming the first locally trained jockey to win the IJC, achieved only days before his third Hong Kong Mile success.

• Best record in the IJC: Winner (2023)
• Number of IJC appearances: Eight
• Base country: Hong Kong
• IJC rides: Lean Master, Fortunate Son, Max Que, Wonderstar  

Rachel King

Rachel King: heads to the IJC in Hong Kong for the third year Credit: Getty Images

Returning the the IJC for a third year, Rachel King began her career in Britain before making the move to Australia, where she was crowned Sydney champion apprentice in 2016-17. She has since established herself as a leading international rider with major wins including the Spring Champion Stakes, the Sydney Cup and, in 2025, the February Stakes in Japan – becoming the first woman to win a Flat Group 1 there.  

• Best record in the IJC: Third (2023)
• Number of IJC appearances: Two
• Base country: Australia
• IJC rides: Snowthorn, Ace War, Samarkand, Romantic Son

Christophe Lemaire

Christophe Lemaire: won the IJC in 2009

Christophe Lemaire is one of the world’s elite riders, with more than 60 Group 1 wins headed by major victories aboard Divine Proportions, Pride, Dunaden and, more recently, Japanese superstars Almond Eye and Equinox. Based full time in Japan since 2015, he has been Japanese champion jockey multiple times and continues to rewrite records, including a hat-trick of Kikuka Sho wins completed in 2025.

• Best record in the IJC: Joint-winner (2009)
• Number of IJC appearances: Six 
• Base country: Japan
• IJC rides: Honest Witness, Take Action, Solid Win, Mighty Commander 

James McDonald

James McDonald, riding Via Sistina, celebrates after winning the Cox Plate in OctoberCredit: Robert Cianflone (Getty Images)

James McDonald first announced himself in Hong Kong when finishing second to Frankie Dettori in the 2011 IJC as a teenager. Since then he has become a global force, winning more than 100 Group 1s, including the Melbourne Cup and four consecutive Cox Plates. Earlier this season he won the Hong Kong Triple Crown on Voyage Bubble 

• Best record in the IJC: Runner-up (2011, 2021, 2024)
• Number of IJC appearances: Nine
• Base country: Australia
• IJC rides: Healthy Healthy, Star Mac, Another Zonda, Akashvani

Ryan Moore

Ryan Moore: won on his second ride back from injury at Lingfield last weekCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Ryan Moore needs little introduction. A winner of more than 200 Group 1 races worldwide, he bids for a third IJC crown after back-to-back victories in 2009 and 2010. Coolmore’s retained rider, a three-time British champion jockey, returned last week from a stress fracture and is the only jockey to have contested every IJC since his debut in 2006.

• Best record in the IJC: Winner (2010, joint-winner 2009)
• Number of IJC appearances: 18
• Base country: Britain/Ireland
• IJC rides: Winning Champion, Corleone, Storming Dragon, Triumphant More 

Joao Moreira

Joao Moreira: only win in the IJC came in 2012, his second time in the eventCredit: Vince Caligiuri

Brazilian Joao Moreira is a global star with more than 2,500 winners and four Hong Kong champion jockey titles. He shattered the city’s seasonal wins record three times, reached 1,000 Hong Kong victories in 2020 and was the rider of Rapper Dragon during his famous Classic Series sweep. Now riding internationally, Moreira remains a Group 1 force, most recently striking in the 2025 Gran Premio Latinoamericano.

• Best record in the IJC: Winner (2012)
• Number of IJC appearances: Nine
• Base country: International
• IJC rides: Super Sixty, Quantum Patch, Beauty Glory, Never Too Soon

Zac Purton

Zac Purton: has won the IJC three timesCredit: Aitor Alcalde (Getty Images)

Zac Purton, now an eight-time Hong Kong champion, ended Douglas Whyte’s long reign in 2013-14. He has won every Group 1 in the Hong Kong calendar, broken Whyte’s all-time wins record and passed 1,900 local victories in 2025. An Australian Hall of Famer, he has also enjoyed major global success, including a Royal Ascot win and five Group 1s with superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising.

• Best record in the IJC: Winner (2017, 20, 21)
• Number of IJC appearances: 12
• Base country: Hong Kong
• IJC rides: Beauty Thunder, Youth Power, Flying Fortress, Kyrus Dragon 

Umberto Rispoli 

Umberto Rispoli: is the only jockey of the 12 to be making his IJC debutCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli, a two-time champion in his homeland and record-setter with 245 winners in 2009, enjoyed notable Hong Kong success during his nine seasons there. A Group 1 winner in Italy, France and Japan, he later moved to the US, where his rise continued and was capped by a landmark Preakness Stakes victory on Journalism in May, making him the first Italian rider to win an American Triple Crown race. He is the only jockey to make their IJC debut at this year's competition.

• Best record in the IJC: No previous appearance
• Number of IJC appearances: Zero
• Base country: USA
• IJC rides: Harmony Fire, Can't Go Wong, Highland Rahy, Tourbillon Golfer 

WATCH: More key insight ahead of Wednesday's meeting

When and where to watch the International Jockeys' Championship

The International Jockeys' Championship can be watched live on Sky Sports Racing, with action from Happy Valley starting at 10.30am for a nine‑race card on Wednesday.

All eyes, however, will be on the four races that count for the IJC, beginning with the first at 12.10. That is followed by race five at 12.40, race seven at 1.40, and the final points‑earning contest is race eight at 2.10.

Best bet for the International Jockeys' Championship

By Jim McGrath

Ryan Moore can put himself back in the limelight in the biggest week of Hong Kong racing by taking the second leg of the International Jockeys’ Championship (12.40) aboard the promising Corleone at Happy Valley on Wednesday. 

Moore, who recently returned after injury, is fit and in the right frame of mind to make an impact in this elite jockeys’ competition, which is the strongest in two decades. The Caspar Fownes-trained Corleone is 1-6 but ready to progress rapidly through the ranks.

Last time out the five-year-old won with authority over course and distance and, as a result, has been given an 8lb hike in the ratings. Nevertheless, the son of Dundeel has been given plenty of time to develop and can rise significantly higher up the ladder. 

Read the rest of McGrath's tips here

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Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three selections at Happy Valley on Wednesday  

PJA criticises ‘fundamentally wrong’ delay to weighing room improvements after BHA publishes progress update 

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