Vincent Ho and Hugh Bowman have clinched the final two places in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on 10 December, edging out Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris, respectively, with crucial victories at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (26 November).

In a cliffhanger finish, Ho slotted a double at the final qualifying meeting ahead of the selection deadline to snare the homegrown rider’s berth with 13 wins to 11 over Chau, while Bowman claimed the final position on countback with 15 wins – the same as Ferraris – but prevailed with 21 second placings to his young rival’s eight.

Ho and Bowman join a star-studded 12-rider lineup headed by Zac Purton, Mickael Barzalona, James McDonald, Christophe Lemaire, Joao Moreira, Umberto Rispoli, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, William Buick and Ryan Moore, whose participation hinges on medical clearance following recovery from a leg injury.

Seven LONGINES IJC winners will feature in this season’s line-up – defending champion Barzalona, Ho (2023) Purton (2017, 2020 & 2021), Bowman (2016), Moreira (2012), Lemaire (2009 – tied with Moore and Johnny Murtagh) and Moore (2009 – tied with Lemaire and Johnny Murtagh & 2010).

Ho, who has fought doggedly to rebuild his career after suffering serious injuries in a fall at Sha Tin in February, was especially grateful after securing his place in the elite four-race series.

“It means a lot and each winner I’m really grateful for the horse, owner and trainer for the trust,” he said. “After seven months (sidelined) and the comeback, there are a lot of uncertainties.

“I want to thank all of the medical teams, my sports psychologist, the people in Switzerland who helped me and, of course, the (Hong Kong Jockey) Club for their support.

“I do feel extremely grateful for this and this is what I want to do, especially this year’s line-up is really great with great jockeys and a lot of friends. The winning year (2023) was great but this one to be racing together with this group of jockeys is really meaningful.

“I want to ride the best I can and repay the support the owners and trainers and the Club have given me.”

Ho won the final two races on the card to reclaim the lead from Chau, who had moved ahead of Ho on countback after Cody Mo’s Meowth returned to form in the Class 4 Clyde Arc Handicap (1200m).

Trailing Chau with fewer second placings, Ho returned fire aboard The Boom Box (132lb) with victory in the Class 3 Glen Ogle Viaduct Handicap (1650m) before sealing the issue on Francis Lui-trained King Miles (131lb) in the Class 3 Culloden Bridge Handicap (1200m).

Bowman endured a rollercoaster evening, twice finishing second in desperately close finishes, before triumphing on Allcash (131lb) for Danny Shum in the Class 4 Kylesku Bridge Handicap (1650m) to overtake Ferraris.

After being denied by a nose aboard Flow Water Flow (127lb) by Caspar Fownes-trained Somelovefromabove (117lb) in the Class 4 Glenfinnan Viaduct Handicap (1200m) under Matthew Chadwick, Bowman suffered the same fate aboard Denfield (126lb) behind Me Tsui’s Everstar (133lb), who lunged in the last stride to land the Class 4 Brig O’Doon Handicap (1200m).

Needing to win on his final ride of the evening to pass, Bowman produced a brilliant ride on Allcash, a dual Group 2 winner in Brazil where he won 10 races when known as Quisar.

“It’s always a privilege to ride in the IJC and I came here tonight with some strong chances and we had a really good night,” Bowman said. “I’m really pleased with that.

“Allcash was strong, he trialled well recently and his better form is on the all-weather track – we were aware of that – but he’s got points in hand and he show that tonight.”

The LONGINES IJC is the most lucrative jockey challenge in the world for the winning rider, who receives HK$600,000. Second place earns HK$250,000, while third collects HK$150,000.

Fresh from G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) success with Romantic Warrior last Sunday (23 November), Shum and James McDonald combined with Legend Star (132lb) to land the Class 5 Forth Road Bridge Handicap (1200m) before Yiu Cheung Victory (132lb) – a six-time winner in Macau – clinched the Class 5 Queensferry Bridge Handicap (1650m) for Dennis Yip and Brenton Avdulla.

McDonald clocked his fifth win in two meetings when Ocean Impact (123lb) surged strongly late to score for Douglas Whyte in the Class 4 St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich Handicap (1800m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (30 November).