Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted 6 hours ago Journalists Posted 6 hours ago Expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald will once again represent his homeland in next month’s LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC), which will take place at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong on Wednesday, December 10. The LONGINES IJC is the most prestigious jockey challenge in the world and the most lucrative for the winning rider, with the four contested races worth a combined $1.7 million in prizemoney. The total prize fund of $227,000 in bonus money for the most successful riders will be split three ways, with the winner set to receive $136,000, $57,000 for second and $34,000 for third. McDonald was crowned the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey in 2022 and 2024, and he currently leads this year’s standings. He recently won a fourth consecutive Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) aboard Via Sistina to join Hugh Bowman as the only jockeys to achieve the feat. McDonald has had plenty of success in Hong Kong this year, including winning all three legs of the jurisdiction’s Triple Crown – The Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), Gr.1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Gr.1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) – aboard Voyage Bubble. List of invited jockeys: Mickael Barzalona – reigning IJC Champion Hong Kong Champion Jockey – Zac Purton Australia – Rachel King Brazil – Joao Moreira Japan – Christophe Lemaire Great Britain – Ryan Moore Great Britain – Hollie Doyle Great Britain – William Buick New Zealand – James McDonald United States of America – Umberto Rispoli Hong Kong – Leading eligible freelance jockey (as of November 26) Hong Kong – Highest ranked jockey (as of November 26) View the full article Quote
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