Hong Kong (Hong Kong) / Saint-Imier (Switzerland), December 6, 2019 – Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori was celebrated as the 2019 Longines World’s Best Jockey tonight at the Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala dinner. Dettori is the first jockey to win the award in back-to-back years, after also winning in 2018. He first took the title in 2015. With a total of 102 points, Dettori bested Zac Purton (88 points) and Hugh Bowman (86 points). He was presented with a Longines timepiece as well as a crystal vase by Walter von Känel, President of Longines, and Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori continues to build upon his legacy and has added a third Longines World’s Best Jockey title to his list of accomplishments after his remarkable 2019 racing season. The Italian-born, British-based rider was recognised at a ceremony held during the Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala dinner on 6 December 2019, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Walter von Känel, President of Longines, and Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), presented Dettori with an elegant Longines timepiece as well as a crystal vase.
Dettori is the first jockey to win the award in back-to-back years, after also winning in 2018. He is also the only three-time winner of the Longines World’s Best Jockey award, having previously won in 2015.
“It has been an amazing few years,” said Dettori. “There is pressure, but I love what I do, and I get to ride some remarkable horses. Enable especially has meant so much to me. Thank you to Longines and the IFHA for honouring such a memorable season for me.”
A dominant force throughout 2019, Dettori won eight of the world’s Top 100 Group or Grade 1 races aboard seven different horses. His qualifying victories came in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Crystal Ocean), Gold Cup (Stradivarius), Grand Prix de Saint‐Cloud (Coronet), Coral-Eclipse (Enable), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Enable), Qatar Sussex Stakes (Too Darn Hot), William Hill St Leger Stakes (Logician), and QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Star Catcher).
The scoring process rewards jockeys for finishing in the top three, giving Dettori a total of 102 points on the year. Second place went to Zac Purton, who is based in Hong Kong and finished with 88 points, while Australia’s Hugh Bowman was third with 86 points.
Bowman was the 2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey. The award, which was established in 2014, has also been won twice by Ryan Moore, who claimed the title in its inaugural year as well as in 2016.
The awarding of the Longines World’s Best Jockey is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from 1 December of the previous year until 30 November of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third. The full and final standings can be found at www.ifhaonline.org.
The Longines World’s Best Jockey Award was established six years ago by Swiss watch brand Longines and the IFHA as a way to quantitatively recognise a jockey as the best among his or her global peers. It marked the first time a rider was honoured in such a way.
About IFHA
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) is the world peak body for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing. Its members are the national racing authorities across the globe which stage Thoroughbred races.
Major areas of the IFHA’s activities include:
• Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (the IABRW)
• Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
• International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
• World Rankings
• The fight against Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
• Harmonization of Racing Rules
• Certification of IFHA Reference Labs
• Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally
The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
E-Mail : achesser@jockeyclub.com
About Longines
Based in Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaking company Longines wields expertise steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships, and as partner of international sports federations, Longines has built strong and long-lasting relationships in the world of sport over the years. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd., the world’s leading watch manufacturer. The Longines brand, with its winged hourglass emblem, is established in over 150 countries.
Longines International Public Relations
publicrelations@longines.com - longines.com
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