Crunch time for jockeys seeking IJC berth at Happy Valley

The final two spots in the coveted International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) will be decided at Happy Valley tonight and a host of riders are gunning to secure their place in next month’s world-class event.

The IJC, which takes place at Happy Valley on December 10, will see 12 of the world’s best riders battle it out to be crowned champion over four legs. The field consists of nine international jockeys and three Hong Kong-based riders.

With Zac Purton already locked in as last year’s champion jockey, the final two spots will be decided tonight on the Happy Valley turf. One place will go to the jockey who sits second in this season’s championship at the end of tonight’s meeting, while the other will be given to the highest-ranked local rider.

The battle to qualify as the leading homegrown rider looks set to come down to the wire as Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Jerry Chau Chun-lok lock horns with 11 and 10 wins, respectively, so far this season.

For Chau, he is hoping to secure a spot in the IJC for the first time and, in the process, deny a rider who he says has been a role model to him.

“It would be a great honour to get into the IJC,” Chau told The Standard. “I have always respected Vincent and he has been my idol, so it is great that one of us will get in. Of course, I’m hoping I can do it.

“At the beginning of the season, I didn’t think about the IJC, but it has been going well and I think all four of my rides at Happy Valley have a chance. Hopefully I can do it.”

Ho, who won the IJC in 2023, also takes four rides on the nine-race card. The 35-year-old hopes that he can get back to the contest after struggling for support following his return from injury.

“I’ll just do my best to try and get there,” Ho said. “Of course, coming back from seven months off, it has been hard to get support. But tomorrow’s another day and I want to win on every horse. I’ll head to Happy Valley with the same mindset and hopefully we can get there.”

South African jockey Luke Ferraris sits in pole position for the other spot up for grabs. He sits on 15 wins so far this term, but has Hugh Bowman hot on his heels with 14 victories. The former takes four rides tonight, while Bowman, who won the IJC in 2016, has five.

“I think it leads the way as far as jockey challenges go around the world,” Bowman said. “It’s always a great night to be a part of and I’ve had the privilege of being involved many times now. Hopefully I can add another one to the list.”