Top Jockeys ready for International Championship A first class line-up of champion jockeys from all over the world will contest the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys´ Championship (CXIJC) at Happy Valley Racecourse on December 7, 2005. This year five previous winners will compete for this very prestigious title and its HK$200,000 first prize: Christophe Soumillon and Yutaka Take (joint winners 2004), Douglas Whyte (2002), Andrasch Starke (2000) and Olivier Peslier (1998). Now in its eighth year, the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys´ Championship is a favourite among racing fans and jockeys alike. Every major racing jurisdiction is represented in what has become a very exciting, truly international event, befitting the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races week The full list of jockeys taking part: Glen Boss (Australia) Shane Dye (New Zealand)Victor Espinoza (United States of America) Kieren Fallon (Ireland)Michael Kinane (Ireland) Weichong Marwing (South Africa )Olivier Peslier (France) Christophe Soumillon (France)Andrasch Starke (Germany)Yutaka Take (Japan)Douglas Whyte (Hong Kong) Plus: The leading local rider at the end of racing on December 3. 'This year we focused on getting former champions back to the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys´ Championship. We wanted jockeys with detailed knowledge of how to ride Happy Valley so that the racing fans can enjoy their skills on what is always a special night of racing,' said Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club´s Executive Director of Racing. Each of the 11 riders confirmed have taken part in this event before. Shane Dye, Michael Kinane and Olivier Peslier share the record number of six appearances to date. Peslier also holds the record for four CXIJC leg wins. The jockeys are randomly allocated their mounts in a draw and the winner will be the one accumulating the most points during three races. Points scoring works as follows: for each of the three races 12 points are awarded to the winning jockey; six points to the first runner-up, four points to the second runner-up; three points to the fourth and two points to fifth. The champion jockey will receive HK$200,000 and a trophy. HK$100,000 will go to the runner-up. In the event of a tie, the jockey who has the most number of higher point-earning finishes receives the prize. The title will be shared if the riders still cannot be separated.
