Christophe Lemaire will be Japan’s representative at the 2025 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on 10 December, as he returns to compete at the event for the first time in seven years.

Enjoying a stellar campaign in Japan, the 46-year-old has claimed 119 wins so far, placing him just behind current leader Keita Tosaki (119 wins) in the jockey rankings as Lemaire had fewer second placings.

The Frenchman will aim to replicate that form at Happy Valley, where he will be appearing in the LONGINES IJC for the seventh time. He won the event in 2009 (jointly with Ryan Moore and Johnny Murtagh) after finishing second in 2008.

“Riding in Happy Valley is always a special time and an exciting challenge,” Lemaire said. “To compete at such an iconic racecourse pushes you to reach your best.”

He has enjoyed an incredible November in Japan; victory on 8 November in the G2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes (1400m) at Tokyo aboard Diamond Knot came shortly after capturing the JPN G1 JBC Classic (1800m, dirt) at Funabashi with Mikki Fight and his remarkable sixth triumph in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) atop Masquerade Ball.

“It’s a real pleasure to be selected among this amazing line-up and to represent Japan, one of the strongest nations in horse racing,” he added.

Lemaire, who has set numerous records in Japanese racing, moved to Japan in 2015 after gaining a licence under the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Since then, he has established himself as one of the world’s leading jockeys. Group 1 victories across the world underline his status as one of the most accomplished riders of his generation.

Lemaire began his professional career in 1999 at the age of 19, under the tutelage of trainer Andre Fabre. His first stint in Japan came in 2002, when he notched 15 winners on a short-term license. In 2005, he made headlines by defeating Deep Impact in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m), guiding Heart’s Cry to victory. The following year, he won the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m) and Hong Kong Cup (2000m) with Pride.

In 2015, Lemaire made history by passing the JRA’s full-time jockey license exam, becoming one of the first non-Japanese jockeys to receive a full-time license. Committed to making Japan his home, he moved to Kyoto with his family. From there, his career reached even greater heights.

Lemaire’s list of accomplishments is extensive. In 2017, he became the first non-Japanese rider to finish the year as the JRA’s leading jockey. In 2018, he broke Yutaka Take’s long-standing record for most wins in a single year with 215 victories. He also tied Take’s JRA record by riding eight winners in a single day on 6 November, 2016.

Perhaps his greatest achievement is the fact that he has built his career in a foreign country and became one of its all-time greats. He has won the JRA Leading Jockey title seven times and has ridden some of the most celebrated horses in Japanese racing history. His skill, professionalism and character have earned him the respect of Japanese trainers and fans alike.

Among the many great horses he has partnered with, two stand out: Almond Eye, the 2018 Japanese Triple Tiara winner and JRA Horse of the Year (2018 & 2020); and Equinox, who was named LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in 2023.

Lemaire launched his own fashion brand, C L by C, which features streetwear inspired by racing legends – a style he describes as “street jockey style”. Recently, the brand opened its flagship store, CL FASHION & CAFE, in Kyoto.

“It’s like seeing my vision brought to life and it feels like magic,” Lemaire said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Yutaka Take, who joked: “He keeps winning all the big races every week – it’s starting to get annoying.

“It’s really great to see him contributing to the development of racing culture while still competing at the highest level. I hope to support these new initiatives and see them grow.”