Hong Kong horse racing: De Sousa wins International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley

Silvestre de Sousa has landed the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley, finishing clear of his world class rivals on 34 points.

Adding to his UK Flat Jockeys’ Championship 2018 title, de Sousa put in a stunning display at Hong Kong’s inner-city track, winning two of the four IJC legs and being placed in the other two, to clinch the prestigious award and £50,000 prize.

Irish jockey Colin Keane got off to a flyer at the Valley, winning on his first ever start at the track in leg one and then finishing third in leg three to help seal the runner-up prize on the night.

Local Hong Kong jockey Vincent Ho was third, legendary US rider Javier Castellano took fourth spot and Ryan was fifth.

An understandably delighted de Sousa said: “I have to pinch myself that it all went so smoothly, you can’t buy moments like this. The atmosphere was amazing, and you could hear the crowd cheering behind you.

“Obviously you need luck on a night like this, but to beat jockeys of the quality in this field is something really special.”