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Profiles

Who is Zac Purton's biggest rival? What is Ryan Moore's greatest strength? Our horse racing experts analyse the origins, rise and skillset of the world's most successful riders.

  • Hugh BowmanHK 🇭🇰
  • AGE46 years
  • First G1 winDefier (2004 Doomben Cup)
  • best horseWinx
  • A true horseman with an ‘ice cool’ demeanour in and out of the saddle, Australian star Hugh Bowman is something of a throwback when it comes to the world’s best jockeys.

  • William BuickGB 🇬🇧
  • AGE38 years
  • First G1 winLahaleeb (2009 E.P. Taylor Stakes)
  • best horseRebel's Romance
  • William Buick may be a two-time champion of Britain, but the Norwegian-born jockey will forever hold a special place in the collective heart of Hong Kong fans.

  • Frankie DettoriITA 🇮🇹
  • AGE55 years
  • First G1 winMarkofdistinction (1990 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes)
  • best horseDubai Millenium
  • A uniquely charismatic performer on the racecourses of the world for almost four decades, Italian superstar Lanfranco ‘Frankie’ Dettori is one of horse racing’s few truly transcendent figures.

  • Hollie DoyleGB 🇬🇧
  • AGE30 years
  • First G1 winGlen Shiel (2020 Champions Sprint)
  • best horseTrueshan
  • Record-breaking lightweight Hollie Doyle has carved out a significant global reputation by competing with distinction in multiple jurisdictions.

  • Yuga KawadaJPN 🇯🇵
  • AGE41 years
  • First G1 winCaptain Thule (2008 Satsuki Sho)
  • best horseLiberty Island
  • Yuga Kawada hails from a long line of jockeys, a ‘destiny’ that carried the Japanese superstar to the 2022 JRA title.

  • Damian LaneAUS 🇦🇺
  • AGE32 years
  • First G1 winTrust In A Gust (2014 Rupert Clarke Stakes)
  • best horseLys Gracieux
  • From humble beginnings, Australian jockey Damian Lane has emerged as one of the world’s most sought after riding talents.

Christophe Lemaire after Cervinia's Shuka Sho victory
  • Christophe LemaireFRA 🇫🇷
  • AGE47 years
  • First G1 winVespone (2003 Prix Jean Prat)
  • best horseEquinox
  • French jockey Christophe Lemaire plotted an unconventional path to greatness, but his exploits in Japan, France and elsewhere have cemented his place among the world’s finest jockeys.

James McDonald jockey profile
  • James McDonaldNZ 🇳🇿
  • AGE34 years
  • First G1 winSpecial Mission (2008 NZ Breeders' Stakes)
  • best horseRomantic Warrior
  • An elite riding talent from a young age, James McDonald quickly rose through the ranks in his native New Zealand, before cementing champion status in Australia, and eventually earning ‘World’s Best’ honours.

  • Ryan MooreGB 🇬🇧
  • AGE43 years
  • First G1 winNotnowcato (2006 Juddmonte International)
  • best horseCity Of Troy
  • Ryan Moore’s ability to absorb the pressure of the big stage has seen Ballydoyle’s long-serving number one deliver Group 1 results with metronomic consistency.

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