UMBERTO RISPOLI LOOKING TO UPSTAGE THE BIGGER NAMES IN THE IJC SHOWDOWN AT HAPPY VALLEY

By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Umberto Rispoli arrives at the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) in career-best form. Now based in the United States, he has enjoyed an amazing season — and he brings that confidence back to a track he knows well.

Rispoli is no stranger to Hong Kong. He spent multiple seasons riding here as a contracted jockey and built a loyal following.

But remarkably, despite all those years in the city, 2025 marks his first-ever selection for the LONGINES IJC … and he steps into what many are calling the strongest field the event has ever assembled.

Speaking to WINNO at Tuesday night’s media conference, Rispoli’s affection for Happy Valley was unmistakable.

“Happy Valley has some great memories for me,” said Rispoli. “It’s one of the most charismatic tracks in the world … and very competitive. The key is always trying to have a good trip in the running. Hopefully we can get some benefit out of it.”

Following Monday’s horse draw at Sha Tin, he believes he has the ammunition … if luck plays its part.

“Some of those horses look very good on form, on paper. Unfortunately, we’re a little bit outside … that’s the draw we pulled, and we just need to go with it.”

Rispoli knows exactly what awaits him on Wednesday night … tight turns, the barrier draw factor and the relentless pressure of competing against eleven of the best riders in the world. With wide barriers, he’ll need precision — and a touch of Happy Valley luck — to match his confidence if the cards fall his way.

The question now is: Can Umberto Rispoli become the first debutant to lift the LONGINES IJC?

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