The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) today announced a significant initiative in the Club’s global racing engagement, confirming its first-ever participation with a dedicated team at the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday, 8 August, at Ascot Racecourse. The 25th running of the world‑renowned top-class jockeys’ competition will, for the first time, be staged under the World Pool banner, further enhancing its international appeal.

The newly introduced Hong Kong Jockey Club team will replace last year’s Asia team and will consist of three Hong Kong‑licensed jockeys. The team will be captained by Vincent Ho, a graduate of the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School and the celebrated long‑term partner of legendary champion Golden Sixty, the three‑time Hong Kong Horse of the Year who won 26 races, including 10 Group 1 victories.

Ho previously competed in the 2019 Shergar Cup, contributing to the Rest of the World team’s overall success and winning the Shergar Cup Mile aboard Power Of Darkness. His return as team captain marks another important step in showcasing the quality and professionalism of Hong Kong’s home‑grown jockey development programme on the international stage.

Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is excited to be represented with our own team at the 25th running of the Shergar Cup at Ascot this year, especially when Vincent Ho, a world-class product of our renowned Apprentice Jockeys’ School in Hong Kong and the regular rider of former champion Golden Sixty, will captain The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s side. The introduction of a Hong Kong-licensed jockeys’ team reflects both the depth of star riders in our jurisdiction and the Club’s continued commitment to contributing to the global development of premier racing events.

It is also exciting to see the Shergar Cup run under the World Pool banner for the first time, and we here in Hong Kong are very much looking forward to the event.”

The integration of the World Pool – now in its eighth year and powered by a collaboration of more than 20 international wagering partners who commingle into a single global pool operated by the HKJC – represents a major development for the Shergar Cup. With global participation, World Pool consistently delivers high liquidity, competitive pricing and unmatched depth of international betting engagement across the world’s leading racedays.

The 2026 Shergar Cup meeting will feature six races, which will once again attract elite riding talent from around the world, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club team joining established squads including Great Britain & Ireland, Ladies, and Rest of the World.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s participation highlights the Club’s ongoing commitment to enhancing our role as a leading global racing hub, fostering international exchange, and showcasing the world‑class standard of Hong Kong racing on one of international racing’s most prestigious stages.