Hong Kong (Hong Kong) / Saint-Imier (Switzerland), December 7, 2018 – Legendary rider Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori was crowned the 2018 Longines World’s Best Jockey tonight at the Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala dinner. He has won the award twice in the last four years, as he first took the title in 2015. With a total of 128 points, he claimed the award ahead of Oisin Murphy (114 points), and Ryan Moore (112 points). Frankie Dettori 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).
Italian-born, British-based jockey Frankie Dettori, who is known for his distinctive "flying dismounts", clinched a second Longines World’s Best Jockey title in recognition of his remarkable achievements throughout the 2018 racing season. He was recognised at a ceremony held during the Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala dinner on 7 December 2018, 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 18k rose gold Longines timepiece from The Saint-Imier Collection as well as a crystal vase.
Showing his versatility, Dettori won eight of the world’s Top 100 Group or Grade 1 races aboard five different horses this year. His qualifying victories, seven of which were timed by Longines, came in the Prix Ganay - Prix de l'Inauguration de ParisLongchamp (Cracksman), Investec Coronation Cup (Cracksman), St James's Palace Stakes (Without Parole), Gold Cup (Stradivarius), Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Enable), QIPCO Champion Stakes (Cracksman), Breeders’ Cup Mile (Expert Eye), and Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (Enable).
The scoring process rewards jockeys for finishing in the top three, giving Dettori a total of 128 points over the year. Second place went to Oisin Murphy, who finished with 114 points, while Ryan Moore was third with 112 points. Dettori joins Moore as a two-time winner of the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award, which was established in 2014. Moore won in the inaugural year and in 2016, while Hugh Bowman was honoured last year.
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 Longines World’s Best Jockey Award was established five years ago by 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 jockey was honoured in such a way.
About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.
For further information please contact:
Longines International Public Relations
2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
publicrelations@longines.com
www.longines.com
About the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA):
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) is the world peak body for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing. Its 60 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 Race Day 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).
