The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), Longines, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced today that the jockey with the best performance in the world’s highest-rated races will be honored at the inaugural Longines World’s Best Jockey award ceremony at the gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races, which is scheduled for December 12, 2014 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The scoring for the award will be based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring will incorporate races from 1 December of the previous year until November 30th of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third. The rules of the points system can be found at ifhaonline.org.

Currently, Irish jockey Joseph P. O’Brien and Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon lead the race for the Longines World’s Best Jockey with 72 points. They are followed closely by Ryan L. Moore with 70 points.

The remaining races and past results for the year can be found at ifhaonline.org.

The utilization of the top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races and the corresponding Longines World’s Best Jockey award mark the first occasion that a jockey will be quantitatively recognized as the best among his or her global peers.

IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet said “It is entirely appropriate that the accomplishments of the world’s best jockeys are recognized internationally. Jockeys are incredible athletes and their amazing feats of skill and daring bring millions of fans to the sport around the world. The Longines World’s Best Jockey award is a proud joint initiative of the IFHA andLongines, and we are very thankful to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for hosting the award ceremony.”

Vice-President and Head of International Marketing of Longines Juan-Carlos Capelli said that “Longines is thrilled to present the first Longines World’s Best Jockey award during the gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races. In the same spirit as the Longines Best World’s Racehorse Awards, this event will honor a jockey whose achievements showcase the commonly held values of Longines and the IFHA, namely tradition, elegance, and performance. ”

Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and IFHA Vice-Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club is pleased to join with Longines and the IFHA in hosting the inaugural Longines World’s Best Jockey award ceremony. The Longines Hong Kong International Races are a celebration of excellence making this new award a perfect fit.”

The Longines Hong Kong International Races gala dinner is scheduled for Friday, December 12th. The Longines Hong Kong International Races are held on Sunday, December 14th at Sha Tin Racecourse. The week-long program also includes the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, December 10th.