Four out of the 12 great riders competing in tomorrow night’s 17th LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship have already won an edition of the contest: Kerrin McEvoy in 2013, Joao Moreira in 2012, Ryan Moore twice in 2009 and 2010, and Christophe Soumillon in 2004. They are back once again to line up alongside an outstanding crop of riders who are all eager to prove themselves with a first IJC triumph in the crucible that is Happy Valley racecourse.
Two of those are joining the fray for the first time, with Puerto Rico-born Irad Ortiz, one of the USA’s hottest rookies, and South African rising star S’Manga Khumalo setting foot in Hong Kong for the first time ever.
“It is very exciting for me to be invited to such a contest,” said Ortiz on Tuesday afternoon as the 12 participants gathered for the LONGINES IJC meet-the-press function at Happy Valley. “And I can’t thank the Jockey Club enough for allowing me to represent the USA. Gary and Mike have always been major examples to me, along with my all-time favourite John Velazquez, and they have been good to me throughout my career……The turns [at Happy Valley] are very tight and I will have to arrange my stirrups to deal with the right-hand course! Anyway I have watched lots of videos to get accustomed to the track and I cannot wait for the challenge to begin.”
Irad can also rely on a trustworthy ally as his grandfather, also named Irad, is accompanying him from the States. The Puerto Rican is confident his grandson will soon quickly learn the ropes at the Valley.
“Ever since he was a little boy he has been extremely gifted in the saddle. Me and his father were also jockeys, at El Comandante in Puerto Rico as well as in New York, and as soon as he started to ride, Irad showed something very special,” said Irad senior.
Newyorkers soon figured out that gift as Irad was crowned leading rider at Belmont’s fall meet this year with 46 winners. Overall he has ridden 782 winners Stateside since his arrival in the US circuit in the spring of 2011.
The first black South African jockey to be crowned champion in the Rainbow Country, S’Manga Khumalo will not be that phased by Happy Valley’s peculiarities.
“It is a bit familiar to me as the first bend after the post reminds me of Greyville racecourse in Durban, where I won the Durban July in 2013,” he noticed as he looked down on the track. “I have also participated in other jockeys’ challenges in Britain and in the USA, and it is always a great opportunity for me to see the best riders in action from within.
“Obviously, the local jockeys have an edge, and it is all down to your horses’ abilities but at the end of the day, we all try to do our job the best we can, that is starting well, keep our horse in good motion and try to adapt your style to the situation. I am eager to show that I can succeed as much as my competitors.”
About to be presented with the first ever LONGINES World’s Best Jockey award, Ryan Moore, representing Great Britain, is the only one of this year’s participants to have twice won the challenge. He said: “I think I have one with a chance but overall I am a long shot for Wednesday night but I am hoping for a good evening.”
Meanwhile, France’s Christophe Soumillon is expected to be the favourite with two of the four legs’ favourites on his side on Wednesday night.
“I have not won in Hong Kong for a while and yet I always receive lots of support from the local fans so I am eager to please them,” said the man who will try to take the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup on Sunday aboard veteran horse CIRRUS DES AIGLES.
“I am drawn 12 of 12 in the first so that’s a long shot. I have got a chance in the second leg, a 1000m sprint, and I ride a horse for Casper Fownes in the last leg with a live chance. I am glad that I got such good rides overall and we will probably have a good time on Wednesday night.”
About to be crowned French champion jockey for the seventh time, Soumillon comes into the contest in great form having landed the Japan Cup on EPIPHANEIA ten days ago.
Local leading rider Joao Moreira, winner of this championship in 2012, is regarded as the best chance amongst Hong Kong representatives, while Britain’s Richard Hughes and Japan’s Yuichi Fukunaga are both considered to have good chances. Yet “Hughsie” played down his chances: “You can never tell around Happy Valley but I have got a couple of nice rides so we’ll see. I am looking forward to it.”
Vincent Ho and Hong Kong’s Champion Jockey Zac Purton, second in the latest two editions of the challenge, complete the Hong Kong team, while Ireland’s seven-time champion Pat Smullen competes for the third time here.
Runner-up to Frankie Dettori in 2011, James McDonald represents New Zealand and the 2013 IJC winner, Kerrin McEvoy completes the stellar line-up for the 2014 LONGINES IJC.
LONGINES Hong Kong International Races – AMBITIOUS DRAGON / BUFFERING / MEINER LACRIMA
The Stewards have today been informed of the following in respect of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Racemeeting to be conducted at Sha Tin on Sunday, 14 December 2014:-
THE LONGINES HONG KONG MILE (Group One)
AMBITIOUS DRAGON
Mr A T Millard, trainer of AMBITIOUS DRAGON, has advised that the horse was found to be lame in the right front leg this morning as a result of a possible foot infection. AMBITIOUS DRAGON will continue to be monitored with a further release to be issued at the appropriate time.
THE LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT (Group One)
BUFFERING
BUFFERING, trained by Mr R Heathcote, was this morning found to be lame in the right front leg as a result of a foot abscess. The abscess has been drained and the horse’s action has since improved. A further release will be issued at the appropriate time.
THE LONGINES HONG KONG CUP (Group One)
MEINER LACRIMA
During track work this morning, MEINER LACRIMA, trained by Mr H Uehara, was eased down by its rider. The Club’s Veterinary Officials have advised that the horse was subsequently found to be lame in the left front leg. As a result of this injury, MEINER LACRIMA has been withdrawn from its intended race on Sunday.
