The Jockey Challenge in thoroughbred racing occurs when punters choose their favourite jockey who they believe will be the most successful rider at a particular race meeting or over a carnival series of meetings. The winner is based on the greatest number of points that accumulate over the meeting or meetings.
3 Points for a first place
2 points for a second place
1 Point for a third place
Hong Kong Jockey Challenge
The Hong Kong Jockey Club launched its own version of Jockey Challenge for the Hong Kong market on 20 April 2008. In doing so, the Club broke more than a century of tradition by offering Jockey Challenge as a fixed odds bet type.
For each Jockey Challenge coupon, there are 14 selections to be picked from - 13 individual jockeys and a 14th category called "Others". Should any jockey other than the first 13 individuals win the challenge at a given meeting, the punter backing number 14 ("Others") will have a winning ticket.
Jockeys will earn:
- 12 points for a win; - 6 points for second; and - 4 points for third
in each of the races on the programme. No points are earned for any other placings. The jockey with the greatest number of points at the end of the day is the winner.
From 16 November 2008, Jockey Challenge was also available as an "inplay" bet type. This means that punters could place bets up to the half way point of a race meeting, with the odds adjusted to reflect the winning chance of each individual selection throughout the day.
Interested readers could visit HKJC's website for a more detailed set of Betting Rules related to the Jockey Challenge game.