There is a particular electricity in the air whenever the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship returns, and this year’s edition on Wednesday, 10 December, feels especially charged with anticipation. Happy Valley, already one of the sport’s most atmospheric stages, is preparing for a night where elite riders, roaring crowds and international pop energy blend into one unforgettable midweek spectacle.
Racegoers will be stepping into far more than a typical fixture — the venue transforms into a global showcase of athletic precision, entertainment and cultural flair. And at the heart of the excitement sits the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship, drawing followers from every corner of the racing world.
This year, 12 world-class jockeys assemble at Happy Valley, headlined by James McDonald, freshly crowned LONGINES World’s Best Jockey for the third time. The quartet of IJC races remains one of the richest on the international calendar, offering HK$7.5 million in prize money across the series, with an additional HK$1 million bonus to reward the top three performers of the night.
Happy Valley and Sha Tin both open their gates at 4.30pm on Wednesday, 10 December, with the evening’s nine-race programme beginning at 6.30pm. Festivities commence from 4.45pm, followed by an opening ceremony after Race 3 — setting the tone for a night that blends world-class racing with global entertainment.
Adding to the spectacle, international music group Now United — fresh from their “NOW OR NEVER” world tour — will deliver a headline performance. The group features Hong Kong representative Ariel Tsang, selected through the HKJC Rising Stars Project, alongside Beijing-born performer Krystian Wang. Their blend of choreography and pop rhythm promises to carry the energy of the meeting well beyond the rails. DJ Willy Monfret sets the mood earlier in the evening, beginning at 5.00pm at the Beer Garden.
Racegoers can elevate their night with the newly launched “Now United Performance × Beer Garden Racing & Music Experience Package”, offering balcony seating, unlimited beers, wines, and snacks, plus a signed plush souvenir — all with table service throughout the event.
Technology meets racing nostalgia with the IJC Heroes AI Photo Booth, allowing fans to create comic-style images featuring the championship’s international jockeys — a modern keepsake fitting for such a celebrated night.
With nine races, four championship legs and a programme humming with global energy, Wednesday’s meeting promises one of Happy Valley’s most vibrant nights of the year. The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship once again positions Hong Kong at the heart of world racing.
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