Top jockeys bid for Hong Kong prize

Mick Kinane, Kieren Fallon, Frankie Dettori and Olivier Peslier are among a dozen top riders representing 11 countries in the fifth annual International Jockeys’ Championship at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley racecourse on Wednesday night.

The rider amassing most points in the three-race challenge receives a purse of HK $200,000 (€25,400), with HK $100,000 (€12,700) going to the runner-up.

Dettori, already twice a winner of the championship in 1999 and 2001, again represents the United Arab Emirates, with Kinane riding for Ireland and Fallon for Great Britain.

French rider Peslier, the 1998 winner, said: “Believe me, it’s a tough spot - the final outcome is always close.”

Others taking part are Mirco Demuro (for Italy, represented in the competition for the first time), Andreas Suborics (Germany), Edgar Prado (United States), Yutaka Take (Japan), Damien Oliver (Australia), Shane Dye (New Zealand) and Douglas Whyte and M W Leung for the home team.

No Hong Kong-based rider has ever finished first or second in the championship.