The highly anticipated line-up for the 2024 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) has been revealed, featuring 12 elite riders set to clash on Wednesday, 4 December, at Happy Valley. Representing Hong Kong, China, Zac Purton, Vincent Ho, Hugh Bowman, and Karis Teetan will lead a world-class field in this prestigious event on the racing calendar.
Zac Purton, the reigning 2023/24 Hong Kong Champion Jockey, spearheads the local charge, with Vincent Ho defending his IJC title. Former IJC champions Hugh Bowman and Karis Teetan join them, having earned their places with strong form this season.
Leading Contenders in Focus:
- Vincent Ho: Defending his IJC title, Ho’s accolades include multiple Tony Cruz Awards, making him a top contender.
- Zac Purton: With three IJC titles and seven Hong Kong Champion Jockey titles, Purton’s experience and skill will be key.
- Rachel King: Representing Australia, King impressed with a third-place finish in her IJC debut in 2023.
- Ryan Moore: A two-time IJC winner with numerous international honors, Moore is a formidable competitor for Great Britain.
- James McDonald: Recently crowned the world’s best jockey, is enjoying a successful stint in Hong Kong at the moment. McDonald is determined to bring glory to New Zealand.
List of invited jockeys for 2024 LONGINES IJC
| Jockey | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|
| Reigning IJC Champion | Vincent Ho | LONGINES IJC winner (2023). Hong Kong Champion Apprentice (2010/11). Best Freelance Jockey Award (2014/15). Tony Cruz Award winner (2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 & 2022/23). |
| Champion Jockey | Zac Purton | LONGINES IJC winner (2017, 2020 & 2021). Hong Kong Champion Jockey (2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/24). Brisbane Champion Jockey (2003 – when still an apprentice). |
| Australia | Rachel King | Sydney Champion Apprentice (2016/17). Third on her IJC debut in 2023. |
| Great Britain | Ryan Moore | Two-time winner of both the LONGINES IJC (2009 & 2010) and four-time winner of LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award (2014, 2016, 2021 & 2023). British Flat Racing Champion Jockey (2006, 2008 & 2009). |
| Great Britain | Hollie Doyle | Set a new record for most wins by a female jockey in a British calendar year in 2021. Joint-second in 2021 IJC & joint-third in 2020. |
| Great Britain | William Buick | Joint British Champion Apprentice (2008). British Flat Racing Champion Jockey (2022 & 2023). |
| France | Mickael Barzalona | Teenage winner of the Epsom Derby in 2011 and has since enhanced his reputation, riding for Andre Fabre and Godolphin. French Flat Racing Champion Jockey (2021). Joint-second in 2021 IJC. |
| Ireland | Colin Keane | Ireland Champion Jockey (2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024). Ireland Champion Apprentice (2014). Second on his IJC debut in 2018. |
| Japan | Yuga Kawada | 2019 World All-Star Jockeys champion. One of eleven jockeys in JRA history to have won all five classic races. JRA Champion Jockey (2022). |
| New Zealand | James McDonald | LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award winner (2022). Sydney Champion Jockey (2013/14, 2015/16, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/24). New Zealand Champion Jockey (2008/09 & 2010/11). Second in 2011 & 2021 IJC and third in 2014. |
| Hong Kong, China | Hugh Bowman | LONGINES IJC winner (2016). Sydney Champion Jockey (2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15 & 2016/17). International Jockeys’ Championship (2016). Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee (2019). |
| Hong Kong, China | Karis Teetan | LONGINES IJC winner (2019). South Africa Champion Apprentice (2008). |
