Hong Kong will field a dedicated team at the Shergar Cup for the first time when Vincent Ho, Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris represent the jurisdiction at Ascot on 8 August. Their inclusion marks a significant step for Hong Kong racing at one of the sport's most distinctive international competitions, where riders compete for team honours rather than individual success.

Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris were confirmed as Vincent Ho's teammates, with the trio set to face teams from Great Britain & Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World in the annual contest. The format rewards consistency across the six-race programme, with points awarded to the first five finishers in each race.

Ho returns to Ascot after previously competing in 2019, when he helped the Rest of the World team to victory and partnered Power Of Darkness to win the Shergar Cup Mile. This year the 36-year-old assumes the role of Team Hong Kong captain.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Ho emphasised both the honour and responsibility attached to the occasion.

"It's definitely a privilege to represent Team Hong Kong. It's the first time Team Hong Kong has participated in the Shergar Cup; we'll definitely do our best to represent Hong Kong. I had a really great experience at Ascot in 2019. It's definitely one of the best racecourses in the world."

Ho has established himself as one of Hong Kong's leading riders since graduating from The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Apprentice Jockeys' School in 2012. His 646 Hong Kong victories include a remarkable partnership with champion Golden Sixty, aboard whom he captured all 10 of the gelding's Group 1 successes.

Chau Continues His Rise

Jerry Chau arrives at the Shergar Cup in the midst of another strong campaign. The 26-year-old, also a graduate of the Apprentice Jockeys' School, sits fifth in the Hong Kong premiership and leads the homegrown riders with 46 wins this season as he pursues the Tony Cruz Award.

His career has already featured several notable milestones. Chau recorded 58 winners in his first full Hong Kong season, establishing a new record for an apprentice, while his biggest stakes success came aboard Self Improvement in last year's Group 3 Korea Sprint.

Chau acknowledged the significance of the selection and made clear his determination to justify the opportunity.

"I really want to thank The Hong Kong Jockey Club for the amazing opportunity. It's a privilege for me to represent Team Hong Kong and I will do my absolute best."

Ferraris Adds South African Strength

Luke Ferraris brings both South African and Hong Kong experience to the team. A third-generation member of one of South Africa's best-known racing families, he spent much of his childhood in Hong Kong while his father, David Ferraris, trained there before returning to South Africa to complete his apprenticeship under Hall of Fame trainer Ormond Ferraris.

The 24-year-old won South Africa's Triple Crown aboard Malmoos in 2021 before returning to Hong Kong, where he has since ridden 164 winners, including 34 this season.

Ferraris believes the international profile of the meeting makes selection particularly meaningful.

"It's a big privilege to be part of the Hong Kong team and an honour. It's a well-covered event that should be really interesting this year. I think there's some good riders going, and to ride at Ascot is a big feat in itself. Hopefully, we can pull some nice horses and make Hong Kong proud."

World Pool Expands Its Reach

The 25th running of the Shergar Cup will also introduce another notable development, with the meeting becoming part of the World Pool schedule for the first time. The six-race card will be offered through the global commingling platform, supported by more than 20 international wagering partners.

Andrew Harding, Executive Director of Racing at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the creation of Team Hong Kong reflected the strength of the jurisdiction and its growing influence internationally.

He noted that combining Hong Kong's participation with the expansion of World Pool represented another step in the continued globalisation of the sport and the development of premier international racing events.

Ascot's Director of Racing and Public Affairs, Nick Smith, described the partnership with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as a landmark moment in the event's 25-year history. He also highlighted the inclusion of the Shergar Cup as the first World Pool fixture at Ascot outside Group 1 racing, expanding a portfolio that already includes Royal Ascot, King George Day and British Champions Day.

Alongside Team Hong Kong, this year's Shergar Cup will feature Group 1-winning riders Jamie Melham and Suraj Narredu, while continuing a tradition that has previously attracted leading international jockeys including Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Gerald Mosse. With national pride, elite riding talent and the addition of World Pool, this year's Shergar Cup is set to carry greater international significance than ever before.