Italian-born, British-based jockey Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori clinched the second title of the Longines World’s Best Jockey during the prestigious gala dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in prelude to the Longines Hong Kong International Races on Sunday, December 13. His remarkable consistency helped him win this award with a total of 100 points, ahead of Victor Espinoza and Ryan Moore who tied for second place with 90 points. Frankie Dettori was rewarded with a watch from The Longines Master Collection.
Frankie Dettori receiving Longines World’s Best Jockey award
Italian-born, British-based jockey Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori was honoured tonight with the 2015 Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in recognition for his exceptional achievements throughout the year. Dettori won five of the world’s Top 100 Group or Grade 1 races, including four with Golden Horn, currently second of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Besides, three of his victories–at the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Diamond Jubilee Stakes, which was his 50th victory at Royal Ascot–were timed by Longines.
Frankie Dettori, famous for his jumping dismount after a victory, was rewarded with a model from the Longines Master Collection in 18k rose gold, featuring a moonphase display. The winning jockey was also presented a crystal vase “Gingko Apollo Extra”, which will be engraved with his name, next to the inaugural winner of the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award, British jockey Ryan Moore.
The Longines World’s Best Jockey Award is a proud joint initiative of Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 international races as established for the year by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from 1 December of the previous year until 30 November of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.
The gala dinner was also the occasion for the brand to highlight its new line, The Longines Equestrian Collection, created as an allegory of the equestrian world. Arches on racetracks evoking horseshoes, stirrups acting as supports to follow their horse around the high jump course, fine leather of saddles: all these strong images are found in the bold lines of these watches dedicated to female equestrian sports lovers. On their wrist, the hands waltz to the rhythm of time and merge with the pace of the horses.
