Hong Kong (Hong Kong) / Saint-Imier (Switzerland), December 8, 2017 – Australian Hugh Bowman was crowned “2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey” tonight, in a ceremony held during the annual Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. After a remarkable season, which concluded with a win in the Japan Cup in association with Longines, Bowman claimed the title with 142 points, finishing ahead of Ryan Moore (124 points) and Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori (86 points), who are both previous winners of the award. In recognition for his great achievement, Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities presented Bowman with a Longines timepiece as well as a crystal vase.
After dominating for the majority of the season, Australia’s Hugh Bowman claimed the “2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey” award, which was presented to him tonight during the Longines International Hong Kong Races Gala Dinner. Besides this prestigious title, Bowman received an elegant Longines timepiece as well as a replica of the crystal vase which will be engraved with his name, alongside the previous winners, Ryan L. Moore and Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori, who incidentally finished second and third in this year’s competition.
The Australian jockey won 10 of the world’s Top 100 Group/Grade 1 races, and six of those victories came aboard Winx, who was celebrated as the third-highest rated racehorse in the world in 2016 and is currently the highest rated turf horse in the world in the 2017 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Amongst Bowman’s great wins, five races were timed by Longines, including the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick and the Japan Cup in association with Longines at Tokyo Racecourse, which secured Bowman the victory for the 2017 “Longines World Best Jockey” title.
The Longines World’s Best Jockey Award is a proud joint initiative of Longines and the IFHA. It is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group/Grade 1 international 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 prestigious gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races also served as the perfect occasion for the Swiss watch brand to present its new TV Spot featuring Longines Ambassador and Asian superstar Eddie Peng, who will be attending the races for the second time, after his presence during the 2014 edition. The TV spot highlights the Official Watch of the event, a model from the Record collection. Combining classic elegance and excellence, this line aspires to become the spearheads of the brand.
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
