Four internationally acclaimed jockeys have been granted visiting licenses to compete in Hong Kong’s winter racing season, bolstering the city’s elite riding contingent with fresh talent and experience.
Record-breaking British jockey Saffie Osborne, French champion Maxime Guyon, and leading Irish riders Dylan Browne McMonagle and Rossa Ryan will join the local ranks in the coming months. The arrivals will be staggered, beginning with Osborne’s debut in November, coinciding with the potential absence of Hugh Bowman, who faces at least four months off for hip surgery.
Osborne, 24, made history earlier this month by becoming the first female jockey to win a British Classic, guiding Highwayman to victory in the Group One St Leger at Doncaster. With nearly 400 career wins, she will commence her Hong Kong stint on November 8 and remain until December 23. Osborne expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, highlighting her admiration for Hong Kong racing and eagerness to experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere firsthand.
Four-time French champion Guyon will return to Hong Kong from December 2 to February 8. Last winter, the veteran rider recorded 15 victories during his campaign, including a win on Sosie in the Group One Hong Kong Vase. Guyon described Hong Kong as an ideal environment for jockeys and hopes to secure multiple high-profile wins during his stay.
Both Irish riders are set to rejoin Hong Kong racing this winter. Dylan Browne McMonagle, 23, who notched 10 wins during a shorter prior engagement, will ride from January 6 to February 28. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Rossa Ryan, with more than 1,200 career wins including the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, will be in Hong Kong from December 2 to February 28, except for the Boxing Day meeting at Sha Tin. Ryan regarded the season as both a professional challenge and an opportunity to focus on fitness and weight management.
Osborne, Guyon, and Ryan will be eligible to compete during the Longines Hong Kong International Races week, which begins with the International Jockeys’ Championship on December 9, providing a high-profile platform to showcase their talents.
Andrew Harding, the Jockey Club’s executive director of racing, praised the visiting riders as significant additions to the quality and competitiveness of Hong Kong racing. He noted that Osborne’s historic St Leger victory had resonated throughout the sport and highlighted the credentials of all four jockeys. Harding expressed confidence that local fans would appreciate witnessing these top riders in action at Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses over the winter season.