Yesterday marked the 19th year of the Longines International Jockeys Championships. An incredible four race championship spectacle in the heart of Hong Kong, on the turf of Happy Valley Racecourse. Staged under the floodlights with a stunning Hong Kong backdrop, 12 of the best jockeys from across the globe meet for this unique occasion every year, and battle it out to be crowned the ‘King of the Valley’.

The action begins days before the jockeys meet on the track, with the jockeys’ allocation. Officials and competitors gather for the allocation ceremony, where the 12 jockeys are randomly drawn aboard the 12 horses for the four legs of the International Jockeys Championships. The star studded list of jockeys, including Ryan Moore, Pat Smullen and Mikael Barzalona, watch on as their chances of Championship victory unveil before them. A favourable set of rides determined favouritism lay joint between top Australian jockey, Hugh Bowman, and the globetrotting, two-time winner, Ryan Moore.

The Championships works on the following points system; 12 points for race victory, 6 points for second place, 4 points for third place. The overall winner taking home a HK$500,000 cheque, a set of Longines prizes, and most importantly, the coveted title of ‘International Jockeys Champion’.

Joint favourite Hugh Bowman got off to a flyer, easily winning the first race and picking up 12 points in the process, followed home by US representative Florent Geroux and the first time IJC participant, Pat Smullen. Ryan Moore fought back in the second leg with a victory, and Hugh Bowman out of sight. Leg three went the way of Italian rider Mirco Demuro, Hugh Bowman snatching second and Ryan Moore dead heating back in third, sharing the four points with Florent Geroux.

All set up for a final race showdown between the three race winners, Mirco and Hugh were unable to put their mount in a position to score any points, Ryan however rallied his mount up the inside to force a photo finish decision in the places. This, however, was not enough. After Ryan’s mount was declared fourth, Hugh Bowman was awarded the Championships with a total score of 18, four more than Ryan Moore and six more than joint third place finishers, Mirco Demuro, and leg four winner Keita Tosaki.

The IJC is just the beginning of an international racing spectacle in Hong Kong. As the world’s best horses arrive in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club stage the barrier draw today, the Gala dinner tomorrow, trackside breakfast with the stars on Saturday, all building to the Hong Kong International Races on Sunday 11th December.

Interestingly, tomorrow’s Gala dinner will be opened by a poetry performance from none other than HBA Founder and Managing Director, Henry Birtles. Keep an eye out for the online publishing of Henry’s new poem, celebrating Hong Kong racing and the stars of the international scene.

Four races make up the Longines Hong Kong International Races, staged at Hong Kong’s other racecourse, Sha Tin, these races are; Vase, Sprint, Mile and Cup. International raiders include impressive Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Highland Reel, highly rated Japanese stars A Shin Hikari & Maurice, two time Goodwood Cup winner Big Orange, and many more.

HBA offers international rights and distribution services to some of the world’s most prestigious races, including the Longines Hong Kong International Races, and the upcoming inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Contact us for more details by email at racing@hbaracing.tv or call +44(0) 1666 822769.