Espinoza Takes on the World in Longines IJC

Fresh from victories in the American Triple Crown and GI Breeders’ Cup Classsic aboard American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), Victor Espinoza will face seven of the top riders from around the world and four from the deep collection of locally based jockeys in the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island Wednesday, Dec. 9.

It will be the second IJC appearance for the 42-year-old reinsman, also the regular partner of 2014 dual Classic winner and American Horse of the Year California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit). Espinoza made the trip over to Hong Kong for the 2003 renewal of the IJC and nearly got the job done, as he finished no worse than fourth in any of the three legs and booted home a winner in the final race. But for Australian Damien Oliver holding on for dear life for fifth in that race and two critical points, Espinoza would have proved victorious.

To be a factor this year, the California-based jockey will have to be at his very best. Chief among the competition is Ryan Moore, the reigning Longines ‘World’s Best Jockey’ recipient who has returned from a mid-season injury with a vengeance. The winner of 65 Group 1/Grade I races worldwide, Moore will look for a third IJC title.

Hugh Bowman makes his second appearance at the IJC as champion jockey in Sydney, and will come to Hong Kong having guided the 4-year-old filly Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) to a spectacular defeat of the boys in the G1 Cox Plate at Melbourne’s Flemington Race Course Oct. 24. New Zealand-born, but Australian-based James McDonald preceded Bowman at the top of the 2013/2014 Sydney premiership and will look to improve on his third-place finish behind Yuichi Fukunaga last term.

With that Japanese reinsman on the sidelines via injury, 2014 Japan Racing Association outstanding rider Keita Tosaki is in to pinch hit. A four-time champion on the NAR circuit, he is one of three making his IJC debut. Tosaki’s two fellow debutants include Brazilian native Silvestre de Sousa, recently crowed champion UK jockey, and South Africa’s leading jockey Gavin Lerena.

Representing France is Maxime Guyon, who guided Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) to a popular victory in last year’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase. Making his third appearance at the IJC, Guyon has ridden on short-term contracts in Hong Kong from time to time and piloted Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) to the win in the 2011 Hong Kong Derby.

Joao Moreira, currently far in front in the local standings, will represent Hong Kong, while a battle is on for two journeyman spots among Brett Prebble (15 wins), Douglas Whyte (15), Zac Purton (15), Neil Callan (13) and Karis Teetan (13). The fourth and final Hong Kong berth goes to the leading ‘homegrown’ jockey following next Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting.

“This is an outstanding selection of some of the world’s very best jockeys, which is something we have come to expect at the Longines IJC, an occasion well-established as one of world racing’s greatest nights,” commented Bill Nader, executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “The Longines IJC is quite possibly the most intense and competitive jockeys’ competition anywhere in the world.

Nader added, “We are delighted with the calibre of riders we have this year. Five of the total 12 jockeys due to contest the IJC are incumbent champions of their respective jurisdictions and all are world elite riders. The quality we have this year certainly befits the occasion and this time around it’s especially great that we have Victor Espinoza, a man whose name is now written in racing legend thanks to American Pharoah’s Triple Crown win.” @EquinealTDN