Vincent Ho has spoken of his pride in representing Hong Kong when he returns to Ascot to contest the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday.
The 36-year-old rider played a pivotal role in the 2019 win for Rest of the World alongside Japan’s Yuga Kawada and Australian rider Mark Zahra.
But seven years on he returns as captain of the inaugural Team Hong Kong, captaining last season’s leading home-based rider Jerry Chau and six-time Group One winner, South African Luke Ferraris.
“It is the first time for Hong Kong and it’s huge. For us to be picked by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to represent Hong Kong is something very honourable and we’re really grateful for that,” said Ho, famed for his exploits aboard the brilliant Golden Sixty.
“We’re all trying to go out there, be focused and really enjoy it – the racecourse, the atmosphere and we’re hoping to get on some good horses. It all depends on the horses now, but, of course, we’re coming up against some really good riders.”
Last month Chau scooped the Tony Cruz Award for the top homegrown jockey in Hong Kong 2025-26 a campaign in which he beat his team captain Ho to the title.
In 2021 Ferraris became the second-youngest expatriate jockey to be given a contract to ride in Hong Kong at the age of 19.
Ho says he is looking forward to locking horns with some of the best riders in the world and not least Saffie Osborne’s Great Britain and Ireland outfit.
“The world’s best jockey is here, Ryan Moore, and we all saw how good Dylan Browne McMonagle was when he came to Hong Kong. Then there’s Christophe Lemaire and Yutaka Take – a Japanese legend,” said the Hong Kong captain.
“Saffie Osborne is in form and doing well. They are experienced jockeys from around the world. We are looking forward to it.”
Aside from his 2019 success in the team event Ho has been a frequent visitor to the UK between Hong Kong seasons and previously based himself with former trainer Mark Johnston at Middleham, riding winners at Haydock Park and Pontefract.
Ferraris is the son of former Hong Kong-based trainer David and made his name in South Africa with back-to-back champion apprentice titles, including winning the Triple Crown on Malmoos in 2021.
He said: “It is my first time racing in the UK after riding mainly in South Africa and Hong Kong. I never miss watching Royal Ascot, and I came last year, so it is really exciting to be riding at Ascot. It is a magnificent track.
“I have ridden against a lot of the riders at the international meeting in Hong Kong – Hong Kong racing is so international anyway – but there are one or two new names. Yutaka Take is a living legend, and Ryan Moore’s record speaks for itself. Christophe Lemaire has a great CV, too.
“It is a big thrill for us to have Hong Kong’s first team at the Shergar Cup. Hopefully, we can do them proud.
Like his teammates, Chau is raring to go: “It is my first time at Ascot and my first time in England, so I am really excited.
“Last season in Hong Kong, I was very lucky. I also won a Group race in Korea and it was a big moment for me when I was told I had been invited to ride at the Shergar Cup. It was the highlight of my season.
“My idol is Ryan Moore, so I have always wanted to ride in the UK. I have ridden against him in Hong Kong, but I have not beaten him.
“I did not grow up in a racing family, but my mum and my brother loved following racing. When I was 15, I decided to join the Hong Kong Jockey Club. I had ridden ponies when I was 13, which is when I realised that I really loved it.”