Hong Kong Jockey Club officials have not given up hope of Ryan Moore returning from injury in time to ride in the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley next month.

A stellar line-up has been announced for the annual competition, with those invited including five previous winners in Moore, Zac Purton, Mickael Barzalona, Joao Moreira and Christophe Lemaire.

Moore’s participation is subject to his final confirmation, however, given he has been sidelined by a leg injury since late August.

Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The Longines International Jockeys’ Championship is the world’s most coveted such competition and this year we have one of the strongest jockey line-ups in recent years, featuring James McDonald, Mickael Barzalona, Ryan Moore and William Buick – who currently fill top four in the Longines World’s Best Jockey standings, and between them this year they have won a string of the world’s leading Group 1 contests.

“The line-up will be boosted, of course, by the inclusion of two-time IJC champion Ryan Moore, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed that he recovers sufficiently to be able to participate.”

Other participants include two renowned female riders, Hollie Doyle and Rachel King, while former Hong Kong-based jockey Umberto Rispoli will represent the USA in this year’s event.