Horse racing news: Hollie Doyle, Dylan Browne McMonagle granted Hong Kong jockey licences
Hollie Doyle and Dylan Browne McMonagle are among four international riders to be granted visiting jockey’s licences to ride in Hong Kong in the coming months.
Doyle, who has participated in the last five LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championships at Happy Valley and also ridden at Sha Tin’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races meeting, recording four winners in the process, has been granted a visiting licence by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from 5 November to 23 December 2025.
McMonagle, the current leader in the Irish Flat Jockeys’ Championship, has been granted a licence to ride from 1 January to 29 March 2026, which will mark his first time riding in Hong Kong.
Doyle hoping ‘to ride winners’
“I’ve had the pleasure of riding in Hong Kong over the last few years, albeit for in-and-out trips to compete in the IJC and ride at Sha Tin on the big HKIR Sunday, and I’ve had a bit of luck at those meetings,” Doyle said.
“This will be different, though, and I’m under no illusion that this first proper stint isn’t going to be as easy-going as that.
“I like a challenge and I’m going to give it a good go. I’ve enjoyed riding around Happy Valley and Sha Tin on my trips so far and I think Hong Kong is probably the best place in the world to develop your skills as a jockey.
“You have to be very sharp and ready to make split-second decisions. It’s a style of racing you have to get used to and I’ve come to enjoy the dynamics and tactical nature of how the races are run.
“I’m going there to ride winners, but I’m under no illusion how hard it can be to pick up good rides. I can do a light weight which is handy I suppose, but there are plenty of high-class international jockeys out there at the same time as me.
“Hopefully, I can use the time to develop, learn the system in Hong Kong, and ride a few winners along the way.”
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International jockeys in Hong Kong
Doyle will join Harry Bentley and recently relocated pair Richard Kingscote and David Probert as British riders currently based in Hong Kong.
The eight-week period encompasses the LONGINES HKIR meeting at Sha Tin on 14 December.
Alongside McMonagle, French rider Maxime Guyon and regular short-term rider in Hong Kong James McDonald have also been granted short-term licences.
Guyon has ridden big winners around the world and partnered the Andre Fabre–trained Junko to success in the Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in 2023.
The 36-year-old has been licensed to ride in Hong Kong from 30 November 2025 to 1 March 2026.
Australia-based rider McDonald has partnered some of the best horses in Hong Kong in recent times, including Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble, and he has been granted a licence to ride from 12 November to 23 December.
McDonald took 121 rides in Hong Kong last season, recording 26 wins for a 21 per cent win strike rate.
Follow @HongKong_Racing for all the latest news from the world-class racing scene in Hong Kong.
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