By Scott Bailey
Umberto Rispoli’s return to Hong Kong for the Longines International Jockeys’ Challenge adds a compelling layer to an already world-class lineup. For the Italian-born rider, Happy Valley is familiar territory — a place where he sharpened his craft during earlier stints with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, learning to navigate the tight, unforgiving city circuit where pace, pressure and split-second decisions define every race. The talented rider will return to a track where he has ridden 42 winners from his previous licensed stints, part of more than 120 victories accumulated in one of the world’s most competitive jurisdictions. His comeback arrives at a time when his career is enjoying another peak.
A two-time Italian Champion Jockey in 2009 and 2010, Rispoli first burst onto the global scene with record-breaking win totals before moving through France and Japan, collecting major Group 1 trophies along the way. His victory in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen aboard Kinshasa no Kiseki and his G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup triumph with Rulership stamped him as a genuine international force.
In 2020 he switched base to the United States, where he reinvented himself on the fiercely competitive Southern California circuit. There he quickly became known for his cool judgement and ability to produce a well timed finish, racking up graded-stakes victories and establishing himself as one of the most reliable turf riders in America. His partnership with Rock Your World in the Santa Anita Derby added a signature win, while his success in the Shoemaker Mile aboard Smooth Like Strait reinforced his standing among the most in-demand riders. The pinnacle came when he captured the Preakness Stakes in 2025 with Journalism, becoming the first Italian jockey to win an American Triple Crown race — a landmark moment in a career already rich with international achievements. It was public news two weeks ago that he was replaced as the rider of Journalism just before one of the biggest races in the states The Breeders Cup. But the tough rider now has an exciting new challenge ahead.
Now he returns to Hong Kong not as a young talent looking to make an impression, but as a seasoned global rider at the height of his powers. His knowledge of the Valley’s rhythm, coupled with the confidence of a jockey fresh from major U.S. victories, makes him a genuine contender in the four-race series. Rispoli brings with him a tactical intelligence shaped by years of adapting to different racing cultures — Italian grit, Japanese precision, Hong Kong pressure and American race tempo. All of it folds into his approach. On 10 December, as the lights glow over Happy Valley, Rispoli’s comeback adds intrigue to the narrative: a world traveller returning to one of racing’s most intense stages, armed with more experience, sharper instincts and a point to prove.
Speaking to iRace today, the Italian gun was upbeat about returning.
“Very excited, coming back after six years in a place where I spent a lot of my time — you know, a quarter of my career as a jockey. It’s always pleasant to go back to Hong Kong for the racing.”
“And it will be good to see some old faces, good friends. So, really excited for the Jockey Challenge. I’ve been trying to do this for a long time. Finally, it happens. So, really looking forward to doing the best I can. And, you know, hopefully we get some luck at the draw with the horses — that definitely will help. I’ll try to enjoy the city as much as I can, staying over there a couple of weeks, and obviously try to ride in some big races on International day.”
Rispoli’s wife and two boys will likely follow him on his trip to Hong Kong, a city they know well. His wife Kimberley is the daughter of former Hong Kong star rider Gerald Mossé, who held the record for most Hong Kong International Races wins until Zac Purton surpassed it a few years ago.
