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Jockey Profiles

Who is Zac Purton's biggest rival? What is Ryan Moore's greatest strength? Our horse racing experts analyse the origins, rise and skillset of the world's most successful riders.

  • Hugh Bowman HK 🇭🇰
  • AGE 45 years
  • First G1 win Defier (2004 Doomben Cup)
  • best horse Winx
  • A true horseman with an ‘ice cool’ demeanour in and out of the saddle, Australian star Hugh Bowman is something of a throwback when it comes to the world’s best jockeys.

  • William Buick GB 🇬🇧
  • AGE 37 years
  • First G1 win Lahaleeb (2009 E.P. Taylor Stakes)
  • best horse Rebel's Romance
  • William Buick may be a two-time champion of Britain, but the Norwegian-born jockey will forever hold a special place in the collective heart of Hong Kong fans.

  • Frankie Dettori ITA 🇮🇹
  • AGE 54 years
  • First G1 win Markofdistinction (1990 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes)
  • best horse Dubai Millenium
  • A uniquely charismatic performer on the racecourses of the world for almost four decades, Italian superstar Lanfranco ‘Frankie’ Dettori is one of horse racing’s few truly transcendent figures.

  • Hollie Doyle GB 🇬🇧
  • AGE 28 years
  • First G1 win Glen Shiel (2020 Champions Sprint)
  • best horse Trueshan
  • Record-breaking lightweight Hollie Doyle has carved out a significant global reputation by competing with distinction in multiple jurisdictions.

  • Yuga Kawada JPN 🇯🇵
  • AGE 39 years
  • First G1 win Captain Thule (2008 Satsuki Sho)
  • best horse Liberty Island
  • Yuga Kawada hails from a long line of jockeys, a ‘destiny’ that carried the Japanese superstar to the 2022 JRA title.

  • Damian Lane AUS 🇦🇺
  • AGE 31 years
  • First G1 win Trust In A Gust (2014 Rupert Clarke Stakes)
  • best horse Lys Gracieux
  • From humble beginnings, Australian jockey Damian Lane has emerged as one of the world’s most sought after riding talents.

Christophe Lemaire after Cervinia's Shuka Sho victory
  • Christophe Lemaire FRA 🇫🇷
  • AGE 46 years
  • First G1 win Vespone (2003 Prix Jean Prat)
  • best horse Equinox
  • French jockey Christophe Lemaire plotted an unconventional path to greatness, but his exploits in Japan, France and elsewhere have cemented his place among the world’s finest jockeys.

James McDonald jockey profile
  • James McDonald NZ 🇳🇿
  • AGE 33 years
  • First G1 win Special Mission (2008 NZ Breeders' Stakes)
  • best horse Romantic Warrior
  • An elite riding talent from a young age, James McDonald quickly rose through the ranks in his native New Zealand, before cementing champion status in Australia, and eventually earning ‘World’s Best’ honours.

  • Ryan Moore GB 🇬🇧
  • AGE 41 years
  • First G1 win Notnowcato (2006 Juddmonte International)
  • best horse City Of Troy
  • Ryan Moore’s ability to absorb the pressure of the big stage has seen Ballydoyle’s long-serving number one deliver Group 1 results with metronomic consistency.

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