Hong Kong jockey Jerry Chau Chun-lok relishes Shergar Cup debut against idol Ryan Moore

Jerry Chau Chun-lok is not nervous ahead of Hong Kong’s debut at Saturday’s Shergar Cup, with the young rider relishing the chance to compete against the likes of his racing idol Ryan Moore. The 26-year-old enjoyed a stand-out season in Hong Kong last campaign, racking up 48 winners and securing the prestigious Tony Cruz Award for leading local rider for the first time. It was a second breakout campaign for the top jockey, who burst onto the scene by breaking the record for wins scored by an apprentice in a single season in 2019-20.

On the back of his success, he now gets the chance to represent Hong Kong in the city’s debut in the Shergar Cup against Great Britain and Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World. There are no nerves from Chau’s side, however, even after getting a peek at Ascot’s imperious grandstand for the first time. “Ascot is a very impressive racecourse. I walked the track and it’s very nice, very big and the grass condition is perfect. It’s a very lovely track and I’m really looking forward to riding on Saturday,” Chau said.

“There are some similarities, but Ascot has a lot of ups and downs in the straight which is really different to Hong Kong. The grandstand is similar, as it’s very big and impressive. I’ve ridden in Dubai before and this is quite the same.

“I don’t feel any nerves, I just feel excited. I’ve just seen the horses I’m riding and looked at the form, and I’m very happy with what I’ve got.

“It’s an honour to be selected and represent team Hong Kong. It’s a dream come true and I’m really happy with that. It’s great to be riding with Luke [Ferraris] and Vincent [Ho Chak-yiu] – we have a very strong team.”

Chau is used to riding on the big days abroad, winning the Group Three Korea Sprint (1,200m) last year aboard Self Improvement, but is relishing the chance to ride against the world’s best, including a jockey he looks up to the most.

“I’m looking forward to riding against Ryan Moore – he’s my idol and I’m really happy he joined the challenge,” Chau said.

“It’ll be great to ride against Dylan Brown McMonagle again too. He is younger than me, but he is very smart, strong and competitive, so I really want to ride with him again too.”

Last season’s tally is one that would have been the envy of many in the weighing room, but Chau is aiming even higher for the coming campaign and has one particular goal in the front of his mind.

“I hope I can keep and win the Tony Cruz award again next year. Hopefully I can get a nice horse to win a big race in Hong Kong – that’s my big dream. My best is a Group Two, but I’m hoping for a Group One next season,” Chau said.

“I’ve got a lot of good people around me back in Hong Kong and that really helped last season. Amy Chan, Felix Coetzee and Douglas Whyte have all been amazing to me – I run out of ways to say thank you to them.”

Hong Kong’s new season will get rolling on September 6 at Sha Tin after a six-week break.