VINCENT HO A VERY POPULAR WINNER OF THE IJC

By Hong Kong Jockey Club (Scott Burton) | Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Vincent Ho claimed a hugely popular first victory in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) thanks to a beautifully judged front-running success on Tomodachi Kokoroe in the fourth and final leg at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (6 December).

Rachel King, Ryan Moore and Zac Purton had each claimed a maximum 12 points with wins in the opening three races of the challenge, though it was the ultra-consistent Lyle Hewitson who led going into the decider thanks to two seconds and a third.

Ho had earlier kept himself in the hunt for the HK$600,000 first prize when finishing third in each of the first two legs.

Ho claimed the title with 20 points – 12 for a win, six for second and four for third – from Purton (18) and King (16).

The reality that he had become Hong Kong’s first home-grown jockey to win the IJC had yet to dawn after he dictated matters from the front on the David Hayes-trained Tomodachi Kokoroe, saving enough to repel the late charge of Purton on Kaholo Angel.

“I was not aware (I had won) and I didn't even know about the points, I just kept riding every race to have a winning chance,” said Ho.

“I felt the track today favoured the front-runners a little bit so that definitely helped and of course Mr Hayes' team did a great job and helped me win this.

Reflecting on his historic achievement, Ho said: "Especially after a tough injury, coming back to win this, I'm really grateful for. Hopefully this will inspire more generations to come and the Hong Kong people especially.

“As the first homegrown of course I received plenty of support here and hopefully it will inspire more kids.”

Ho is now firmly established among the world's elite. But, when reminded of his time serving as an attendant to the riders on IJC night when still an apprentice, the 33-year-old revealed the humble side to his nature that has endeared him to racing fans just as much as his excellence in the saddle.

Ho said: “Christophe (Soumillon), Frankie (Dettori) and Ryan (Moore) were always my idols, right up until today, and I keep learning from those good jockeys, those good horsemen. There's still plenty to improve to (get to) their levels.”

A four-time winner of the Tony Cruz Award as the leading homegrown jockey in Hong Kong, Ho missed the start of the season when suffering back and rib injuries after a fall in Japan at the end of July.

But he has made up for lost time, quickly rising to fifth in the table.

Ho has a huge LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on Sunday (10 December) ahead where he can now look forward to getting back aboard his "best friend" Hong Kong Mile hat-trick seeker Golden Sixty, as well as Senor Toba in the Vase and Straight Arron in the Cup.

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