The International Jockeys’ Championship has always been a night where the sport’s elite strip the game back to its purest form: four races, identical opportunities and no hiding. Twelve world-class riders flying in from every corner of the globe, all chasing the richest jockey challenge purse on the planet. And as expected, Happy Valley didn’t just host a competition — it lit the fuse on a genuinely world-class showdown.
The format remains simple. Points decide everything: 12 for a win, six for second, four for third. No Group 1 reputations, no home-track advantage. Just raw skill, split-second judgement and the ability to change a race in a heartbeat. And right from the opening leg, the big names came out swinging.
Godolphins number one man William Buick struck first, producing a crisp, professional ride on Bunta Baby to claim Race 4 and bank the first maximum haul of the night. Zac Purton, whose IJC record needs no embellishment, kept himself in the contest immediately with a polished second on Beauty Thunder, while James McDonald — the newly crowned world No.1 landed third aboard Healthy Healthy to ensure the powerhouses were already crowding the scoreboard.
If Race 4 belonged to Buick, Race 5 was Ryan Moore’s reminder that he didn’t fly halfway across the world off a three-month layoff due to a broken leg to play a support act. In a finish that could have been clipped straight into a Hong Kong highlights reel, Moore lifted Coreleone late to secure his first win of the night. Rachel King added valuable points with a smart second aboard Ace War, and Vincent Ho — the heartbeat of Hong Kong racing — chimed in for third with Fortunate Son, putting himself within striking distance in the standings.
The third leg, Race 7, delivered another twist as Hugh Bowman a man whose poise is tailor-made for Happy Valley’s chessboard produced a vintage ride on Silvery Breeze. Purton once again forced himself into the frame, this time with a grinding second aboard Flying Fortress, while Vincent Ho continued his consistency, placing third on Max Que. At that stage, Purton’s trademark persistence was keeping him alive, but Moore was lurking ominously heading into the last leg.
Race 8 confirmed what the earlier races hinted at: Ryan Moore was here to win the whole thing and it was aboard Triumphant More at 20-1. Triumphant, decisive, and worth another 12-point strike that gave him the outright lead. Umberto Rispoli, back on one of the world’s biggest stages, produced a stylish second on Tourbillon Golfer, while the king of Japan Christophe Lemaire added Hong Kong points once again with a smooth third on Mighty Commander.
When the dust settled, Moore’s double-strike gave him the overall edge, capping a night where the world’s best once again justified their billing. Purton’s two runner-up finishes kept Hong Kong’s champion in the conversation. Buick and Bowman delivered signature moments. Ho reminded everyone why he is the city’s standard-bearer. And McDonald, King, Rispoli and Lemaire all played their part in a championship that continues to elevate the global talents under the Valley lights.
LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS CHEMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS
- RYAN MOORE (24)
=2 HUGH BOWMAN (12)
=2 WILLIAM BUICK (12)
=2 ZAC PURTON (12)
- VINCENT HO (8)
=6 UMBERTO RISPOLI (6)
=8 CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE (4)
=8 JAMES MCDONALD (4)
=10 MIKAEL BARZALONA (0)
=10 HOLLIE DOYLE (0)
=10 JOAO MOREIRA (0)
