Set to be crowned the Longines World’s Best Jockey for the third time in four years, James McDonald is keen to add a breakthrough success in the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) to his glittering CV at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The Kiwi superstar will receive the World’s Best Jockey award at Friday night’s Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) gala dinner after claiming 12 of the world’s top 100 Group Ones in 2025.

But first his focus is on the IJC, which has so far proven elusive. McDonald has finished runner-up in the prestigious contest three times – 2011, 2021 in a four-way tie and last year when he shared second with Hollie Doyle – while he was third in 2014.

The 33-year-old has strong claims on Wednesday night when he rides Healthy Healthy, Star Mac, Another Zonda and the in-form Akashvani in the four eligible races.

“They look good,” McDonald said of his rides. “We just need a little bit of luck – bad barriers with a couple of them, but you never know at Happy Valley.

“I’ve been runner-up three times so we’re due one, but you never know. It’s just so competitive. Akashvani and Star Mac look my two most competitive rides.”

Akashvani will be one of the key chances in the final leg of the IJC, a Class Three over 1,200m, after a strong Valley victory and a close fourth in his past two starts.

Star Mac also has solid claims in the second leg after an eye-catching fourth last start, while Healthy Healthy and Another Zonda are capable of figuring prominently on the back of their recent consistent form.

With 12 points for a win, six for second and four for third, the rider with the most points after the four legs will take home the HK$600,000 major prize. The runner-up receives HK$250,000, while HK$150,000 goes to third.

Rides are allocated using a special system designed to avoid giving any of the 12 jockeys a book that is too strong or too weak.

Three-time IJC victor Zac Purton hailed this year’s line-up of jockeys as one of the strongest ever, while claiming he was “more hopeful than confident” of his own chances.

“Some of them have drawn a little bit tricky, so we’ll try and find the right run home,” said Purton, who rides Beauty Thunder, Youth Power, Flying Fortress and Kyrus Dragon in the four legs.

“It’s good to see a bit more depth in the fields this year. I think it gives a fair few guys a chance. It could possibly be the strongest line-up of jockeys we’ve ever had, which is good to see as well.”