The Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) is a premier global event that brings together 12 top jockeys to compete for a prize of HK$800,000 at the Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong, with previous winners including Britain’s Tom Marquand.
‣ The Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) is a prestigious event that brings together 12 of the world’s top jockeys to compete for a prize of HK$800,000 (£81,120/$102,320).
‣ The IJC takes place annually at the Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island, which presents unique challenges due to its tight turns and unique configuration.
‣ Among the competitors are previous IJC winners Tom Marquand, Ryan Moore, Zac Purton and Karis Teetan, as well as two female jockeys, Hollie Doyle and Rachel King.
The Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) is a big deal. It’s the top event of its kind globally, and it’s not hard to see why. This competition brings together 12 of the world’s most accomplished jockeys, all battling for the winner’s share of the HK$800,000 (£81,120/$102,320) prize money.
The IJC is the official kick-off to the Longines Hong Kong International Races festivities. It’s held annually at the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island. This course is known for its tight turns and unique layout, adding an extra layer of challenge, especially for jockeys not based in Hong Kong.
Among the competitors is Britain’s Tom Marquand. He’s one of four previous IJC winners competing this Wednesday evening. Marquand will be joining Ryan Moore, Zac Purton, and Karis Teetan in the hopes of securing his second victory in the event.
Marquand is no stranger to victory. Just last month, he won his first Breeders’ Cup race on his first ride aboard Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point Ire) in the Grade I Juvenile Turf Sprint. He’s hoping to win the IJC title outright this time, after sharing the spoils with Silvestre de Sousa last year.
Marquand’s wife, Hollie Doyle, is also a competitor. She finished third in the IJC in 2020 and second in 2021. This year, she’s hoping to take the title.
Also in the mix is Rachel King. She’s a British transplant now based in Australia. King has shown she can hold her own against international riders, narrowly losing to Mirai Iwata in Japan’s World All-Stars Jockeys.
Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, a Kazakhstan-born jockey, is making his first IJC appearance. He’s coming off a strong season in France, where he rode 60 winners, including 12 in black-type competition, for the legendary Andre Fabre.
The IJC begins at 8.10pm local time (12.10pm GMT, 7.10am US Eastern Time). The competitors are ready to rock for 2023!
