Colin Keane and Ger Lyons celebrate the victory of Magnum Force at Del Mar© Photo Healy Racing
Irish champion jockey Colin Keane is thrilled to be heading back to Hong Kong to take part in the International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley for a third time.
Keane won a sixth domestic title in 2024, his fifth in succession, and backed it up with Group One wins on Babouche for his boss Ger Lyons in the Phoenix Stakes, White Birch in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and he was called up by David Menuisier to stand in for Oisin Murphy when Tamfana won the Sun Chariot Stakes.
He then went out to Del Mar to win on Lyons’ Magnum Force in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and is eagerly looking forward to the competition on December 4.
“I’m delighted to get the invitation to go back again for the international jockeys’ challenge after riding in it twice before Covid,” Keane said.
“It was a very unique experience, with the racetrack in the middle of the city and a great atmosphere and occasion. I rode a winner on my first ride there in the first challenge race in 2018 and was lucky enough to win another leg in 2019.
“It would cap what has been a brilliant year if I could win it this time – I will be hoping I get the luck of the draw with the horses I get in the four races.
“It’s a privilege to get the invite again to round off such a great year, being champion in Ireland again and riding the big winners for the boss, including another Breeders’ Cup success this month.”
