Vincent Ho will make a monumental return to racing next Wednesday night (10 December) when he lines up in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley. The 35-year-old will attempt to claim another IJC title after recovering from a serious head injury and neck fractures sustained in February.
Ho spent months in rehabilitation, including time at the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre, before gradually reconnecting with horses. He returned to competition in early September following the incident at Sha Tin.
“I wasn’t expecting something like this early in the season after seven months of rehab — coming back wasn’t easy,” Ho said. “I did a lot more work than before to get myself ready to race. To be able to ride winners now is lovely, and I’m always thankful to Mr Fownes and Mr Lui for believing in me. I’m pleased with my results and proud of myself.”
During his recovery, Ho received strong support from trainers Caspar Fownes and Francis Lui — and from former champion Golden Sixty, the horse he partnered to 26 wins at Sha Tin, including a joint-Hong Kong record 10 Group 1 victories.
“He’s the only horse I trust 100 per cent. Getting on him for the first time and feeling safe was important after such a serious injury,” Ho said. “Northern Farm is close enough for me to visit frequently, which really helped.”
Golden Sixty and Ho formed one of Hong Kong’s greatest partnerships, highlighted by their historic clean sweep of the 2019/20 Four-Year-Old Classic Series. Even in retirement, the champion continues to play a role in Ho’s recovery and confidence-building.
“Even retired, he is still so important in my life,” Ho said. “I would see him every day when he was in Hong Kong, and it meant a lot to reconnect with him after seven months off. Seeing him doing well, and doing some flat work, pole work and a bit of dressage with him, has helped both of us. He’s a beginner at dressage, and I’m still learning too — but it’s good progress for both.”
Ho began his riding life in dressage before joining The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, where he learned under jockey-turned-trainer Lance O’Sullivan. After returning to Hong Kong in 2009/10, he recorded 10 wins in his debut season and eventually rose to a career-high 96 winners in 2022/23. This season, he has already ridden 14 winners.
“I think this year’s line-up is one of the best,” Ho said. “Umberto Rispoli is back, Christophe Lemaire is coming, and Ryan Moore seems to be returning in time. Mickael Barzalona is another amazing jockey. Riding with them is a privilege.”
Ho will face seven past LONGINES IJC winners — Zac Purton, James McDonald, Joao Moreira, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, William Buick and Hugh Bowman. The four-race competition uses a points system: 12 for a win, six for second and four for third. The overall champion will receive HK$600,000, with HK$250,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third.
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