Vincent Ho, Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris will represent a new team at this year’s Shergar Cup in the shape of Team Hong Kong.
Ho, best known for his association with superstar Golden Sixty, has ridden at the event once before, when part of the winning Rest of the World team in 2019.
The Hong Kong team was announced at a ceremony at Sha Tin when it was also confirmed the meeting on August 8 will be the first outside of a Group One day to be a World Pool event.
Ho said: “It’s a privilege to represent Team Hong Kong. It’s the first time Team Hong Kong has participated in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup; we’ll definitely do our best to represent Hong Kong.
“I had a really great experience at Ascot in 2019. It’s one of the best racecourses in the world.”
Chau is a rising star on the Hong Kong circuit, while South African Ferraris hails from a famous racing family. His father David trained Vengeance Of Rain, a Horse of the Year winner in 2006/07.
Ferraris said: “It’s a big privilege to be part of the Hong Kong team and an honour. It’s a well-covered event that should be really interesting this year; I think there’s some good riders going, and to ride at Ascot is a big feat in itself – it looks like a lovely track.
“Hopefully, we can pull some nice horses and make Hong Kong proud.”
Saffie Osborne has been confirmed for Great Britain and Ireland with her teammates still to be announced.
The European team consists of Christophe Lemaire, Marie Velon and rising star Frida Valle Skar with Rest of the World made up of Jamie Melham, Yutaka Take and Suraj Narredu.
Nick Smith, director of racing at Ascot, said: “This weekend’s ceremony and announcement marks probably the most important milestone in the 25-year history of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.
“To partner with the Hong Kong Jockey Club takes the competition to a new level on the world stage with the Hong Kong team set to carry their club colours and ride against the best jockeys from around the world. I am sure they will perform with distinction.”