Jockey Challenges Have Global Appeal, But Not in U.S.

What is it about these global jockey challenges? The recently concluded World All-Star Jockeys competition at Hokkaido in Japan and the Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse in England raise the question: Why everywhere else in the world but not in America? Unscientific sampling, mostly asking around, indicates most American horse racing fans basically are unaware that jurisdictions from Saudi Arabia to England to Japan and Hong Kong stage well-publicized and very popular events pitting riders from around the world against one another. And even among those vaguely aware, few seem to care. The recently concluded Shergar Cup is a case in point. Most American racing fans at least are aware of Royal Ascot in June. Some know Ascot also hosts British Champions Day, England's richest day of racing, in October. But say "Shergar Cup" at Monmouth Park or Canterbury Park and watch heads being scratched. Hey, it was big news in England, where Ryan Moore returned to the competition for the first time since 2006, leading the "Great Britain and Ireland" team to victory. That team also included Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle and captain Saffie Osborne. The "Europe" team was comprised of Christophe Lemaire (ironically, Japan's leading riding), Marie Velon, and Norwegian Frida Valle Skar. "The Rest of the World" squad was made up of Australia's Jamie Melham, India's Suraj Narredu, and Japan's Yutaka Take. Right. No Americans. The importance of the event was underscored by the deep involvement of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. For the first time, the HKJC incorporated the Shergar Cup into its World Pool wagering platform, delivering the competition to a huge worldwide audience. As part of that deal, Hong Kong fielded a team of its own for the first time, with Jerry Chau, Luke Ferraris, and captain Vincent Ho teaming up. To work, the jockey festivals have to attract the right mix of, well, jockeys. Jockeys are a much bigger deal to fans in many jurisdictions around the world, not just as horsemen but as sports stars. Some, like Yutaka Take in Japan, become cultural icons and heartthrobs. At least part of the reason Frankie Dettori "unretired" to add two additional seasons onto his career was the fact he could live a relatively normal life in California. In Europe, he constantly was beset by the paparazzi. Thus, when the right mix of riders hits the pari-mutuel systems or betting shops as wagering interests of their own, the jockeys draw a lot of action. Since jockeys are assigned horses by blind draw in these competitions, the betting is on them, not the horses. The stars do come out for the big events, usually with a sprinkling of Americans among them. They clearly don't do it for the money. The prize money for the winning jockey in the Aug. 22-23 World All-Star Jockeys competition in Japan, Norihiro Yokoyama, for example, amounted to ¥3 million (approx. US$18,900) and a trophy valued at ¥300,000 (approx. US$1,890). The contestants, of course, also get expenses covered and visitors to Japan racing always enjoy generous hospitality. So, what is the incentive for jockeys to compete? For Ho, home-jurisdiction pride was part of the equation in the Shergar Cup. "For us to be picked by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to represent Hong Kong is something very honorable and we're really grateful for that," said Ho, a product of the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys' School. It worked out on the Ascot course, too, as Chau won the first race of the day with Ho finishing second. When Ferraris won the second leg, Greg Carpenter, head of racing product for the HKJC, said basically, "mission accomplished." "The team selection was built around showcasing our local talent. Vincent's been an incredible ambassador and he was an easy selection as captain, but Jerry is a rising star," Carpenter said. Osborne added: "It has been really good fun... It's a brilliant day to get new people involved in the sport and showcase what fun this industry is. It's brilliant for a younger audience to be able to pick a team and follow them, and to have such world-class jockeys here is brilliant." "Brilliant" is a more popular word in England than in America. Moore, who won Hong Kong's Longines International Jockeys Challenge three times during his absence from the Shergar Cup, said the attraction has switched from meeting established stars to renewing acquaintances as a star himself. "It has been lovely. I've enjoyed it. It's nice to be back here seeing jockeys like Yutaka and Christophe—older jockeys who I was looking up to as a kid. Hopefully everyone has enjoyed it." So why hasn't this concept caught on in the United States? One might think Breeders' Cup, which already has a solid complement of international jockeys on hand, easily could cobble something together. The organization pointed to its annual Bill Shoemaker Award. But that's based on the results of the big races that, after all, are decided primarily by the quality of the horses rather than the riders. American punters might take some persuading to get involved. Talented as they are, the likes of the Ortiz brothers, Flavien Prat, and Tyler Gaffalione going against largely unknown foreigners on random horses seems a tough sell. At last report, there weren't many paparazzi following Junior Alvarado around Saratoga Race Course. But even if the verdict is that the American audience wouldn't be interested, a jockey challenge might provide an added spark of interest in big-betting overseas jurisdictions. And here's something else: If the likes of a Yutaka Take, Vincent Ho, or Marie Velon were on hand for a Breeders' Cup Jockey Challenge, American trainers might think about seeing how they'd do in some of the big-day undercard races. Who's Coming to Keeneland? York Racecourse's iconic Ebor meeting in the north of England included four official Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In races, but generated more potential than that for the Oct. 30-31 World Championships at Keeneland. Bacio, trained at Keeneland by Wesley Ward, earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) with a win in the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1). Kalpana (GB) qualified for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) by winning the Yorkshire Oaks (G1). Item (GB) scored a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) with an upset of some of the world's best in the International Stakes (G1). And Haffner earned a pass to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) with a victory in the Acomb Stakes (G3). Don't look just at the "Win and You're In" crowd. Godolphin's Notable Speech (GB), who won last year's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar, won the City of York Stakes (G1) and trainer Charlie Appleby said he's Keeneland-bound. Ombudsman (IRE), fourth behind Item in the International, is a hot prospect for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T). Sun Goddess (IRE) won the Harry's Half Million and trainer Aidan O'Brien said the 2-year-old filly "could go to the Breeders' Cup if we wanted to." Two who might have been candidates now won't be as Rebel's Romance (IRE) and Bow Echo IIRE)instead have been retired from racing. Rebel's Romance won the 2022 and 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf and was still going along at a decent clip when Godolphin decided it was time for him to rest on his laurels. Bow Echo, bidding to be the best miler since Frankel (GB), suffered an injury on the gallops Aug. 11 and also was retired. Bow Echo perhaps was a less likely contender for the World Championships, but just the chance of an appearance got the juices flowing. While the loss of Rebel's Romance will leave a gap in Moulton Paddocks, hope springs eternal. In the immediate circumstance, it comes in the form of a full brother to the retired hero, Fortitudine (IRE), who won on debut Aug. 5 at Kempton Park by 21 lengths. He led the entire 1 3/8 miles on the all-weather surface. READ: Rebel's Romance Brother Fortitudine Wows on Debut Jockey James Doyle, who rode Fortitudine and was aboard for Rebel's Romance's victory in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf, told Racing Post, "I was a bit surprised myself when I had a little look round. It bodes well. Hopefully he's in for a good career." On the Japanese front, while Forever Young (JPN) prepares for the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and a defense of his Breeders' Cup Classic title, another Japanese-trained contender hit a bump in the road in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. Finger (JPN), a Gun Runner colt with four dirt wins at home including the listed Tokyo Derby, wasn't able to get a clear run and faded to finish last. Connections haven't indicated what's next. British Champions Day Speaking of Ascot, Qatar Racing has taken over sponsorship of British Champions Day at that venue, succeeding its parent company, QIPCO. Qatar Racing British Champions Day also includes individual sponsorship of each of the seven races. "Since the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day in 2011, our family's ambition has been to support the very best of British racing and that commitment remains as strong as ever," HH Sheikh Fahad Al Thani said. This year's Champions Day is Oct. 17, with five of the seven races holding group 1 status. Total purses of £4.35 million (approx. US$5.9 million) make it the single most valuable day on the British racing calendar.