Four Star Jockeys Arrive in Hong Kong This Winter; Osborne Makes History

Hong Kong’s racing season just got a major upgrade. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has granted visiting licences to four world-class jockeys arriving this winter, led by 24-year-old British star Saffie Osborne. Osborne made racing history this month by becoming the first female jockey to win a British Classic when she rode Highwayman to victory in the St. Leger at Doncaster. The quartet brings combined experience in major European races and championship titles to compete in Hong Kong’s most competitive racing period.

Osborne leads the charge with historic British Classic win

Saffie Osborne will arrive first on November 8 and stay through December 23. The 24-year-old daughter of British trainer Jamie Osborne has ridden 394 winners in her career with a 12% strike rate. Earlier this month, she made racing history by becoming the first female jockey to win a British Classic when Highwayman claimed the 250th running of the G1 St. Leger at Doncaster. She has also won the Shergar Cup twice, leading the British and Irish team to victory in August against Hong Kong.

Three returning champions extend their stays

Maxime Guyon, the four-time French champion jockey, returns December 2 through February 8. The 58-time Group 1 winner has 3,400 career victories and won 15 races in Hong Kong last season. He has won the Longines Hong Kong Vase three times. Rossa Ryan, a 26-year-old Irish jockey who won the 2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, arrives December 2 through February 28 (excluding December 26). Ryan has 1,201 career wins with a 15% strike rate and five Group 1 victories worldwide. Dylan Browne McMonagle, the current Irish champion jockey, joins January 6 through February 28 after winning 10 races in Hong Kong last season.

Winter racing calendar offers prime opportunities

All four jockeys arrive during Hong Kong’s most thrilling racing period. Osborne, Guyon, and Ryan are eligible to compete in the Longines Hong Kong International Races week, which kicks off with the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship on December 9 at Happy Valley. Andrew Harding, Executive Director of Racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the arrivals reflect how highly regarded Hong Kong racing is internationally and will add depth and global star appeal to the city’s racing scene.

Hong Kong’s jockey ranks remain among world’s strongest

The visiting quartet joins an already elite local roster. Hong Kong’s resident jockeys include nine-time champion Poon Chun, 2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey Joao Moreira, and four-time Tony Award winner Ho Tse-hao, a graduate of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s apprentice school. The addition of Osborne, Guyon, Ryan, and McMonagle will intensify competition at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses during the winter season.

Final Thoughts

Hong Kong’s racing scene gains world-class talent this winter with four international jockeys arriving to compete during the season’s peak period. The arrivals underscore Hong Kong’s status as a premier global racing destination and will elevate competition across the board.

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