Global Jockeys' League Set to Launch with Star-Studded Line-Up

A bold new chapter for international racing is on the horizon as plans progress for the launch of a revolutionary global jockeys' league, expected to debut in 2026. The innovative competition will feature a dozen of the world’s elite Flat jockeys — including racing superstar and new Stake ambassador Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore, and William Buick — with discussions already underway for events to be hosted at leading UK venues such as Ascot and York.

The league aims to reimagine the sport for a modern audience, with ten events planned annually and a strong focus on youth engagement and fan interaction. Other world-class riders already committed to the venture include James McDonald, Joao Moreira, and Zac Purton. The concept has been warmly received by key figures at major UK courses.

Ascot's director of racing and public affairs, Nick Smith, highlighted the unique appeal of the project:

"It's an original concept as it's jockey-led with jockey equity and so full jockey buy-in. Avoiding any conflict with the Pattern is essential and this has been well thought through. We are pleased to have been approached and look forward to continuing that dialogue."

York has also expressed enthusiasm, with chief executive William Derby saying:

"It's interesting and it's important that it doesn't conflict with the Pattern. We have another meeting booked and the sport should be open to new ideas. The jockeys being fully vested in the idea makes it something different to previous ones."

The league, co-founded by BHA board member and former Godolphin CEO John Ferguson and Lachlan Fitt, formerly of Entain ANZ, will see the 12 participating riders compete under individual team franchises. Each jockey will serve as team principal, own equity in their brand, and don the same silks at every fixture — a concept inspired by franchise-based formats seen in other global sports.

Organisers aim to build a total prize pool of $15 million within two years and are currently in talks with commercial partners for both the league and individual teams. Alongside Moore, Dettori, and Buick, the line-up includes Christophe Lemaire, Mickael Barzalona, Yutaka Take, Irad Ortiz Jr, Flavien Prat, and Vincent Ho.

Ryan Moore welcomed the initiative, stating:

"The line-up of jockeys that has been assembled from across the world is incredibly strong and I'm excited about the prospect of being able to contribute to generating increased interest in the sport of horseracing globally."

William Buick, fresh off classic wins in the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, also expressed his excitement:

"It's unique to get a group of jockeys of this calibre together from every corner of the globe. I think we all realise we need to drive change in the way our sport is marketed globally. The league is an amazing concept and the ownership model will allow me to use my profile to grow awareness of the sport across a broader audience in the years ahead. I'm really looking forward to seeing the league get off the ground in 2026 and I'm excited about the opportunity to compete against the very best jockeys all over the world."

Beyond Ascot and York, European venues such as Leopardstown, the Curragh, Longchamp, and Chantilly are being considered as host locations. Leopardstown has yet to be formally approached but is open to the concept, according to Paul Dermody, chief executive of HRI Racecourses.

"The sport needs to be leveraging its superstars to bring in a new audience," Dermody said. "Since Covid in Ireland, a younger audience has been coming to and consuming racing and something like this would play strongly to that group. It's a very interesting idea."

Unlike traditional meets, the new league will not attempt to attract the sport’s top horses or interfere with existing Pattern races. Instead, fixtures are expected to align with major festivals, enhancing visibility without disrupting the calendar.

Lachlan Fitt explained the vision behind the format:

"Racing currently lacks a globally coordinated platform to promote the sport and we're being left behind by other major sports globally in terms of creating global icons that fans can engage with. I am delighted to see this amazing group of jockeys come together and while it is early days, we're very pleased with the response we've had from potential host venues and commercial partners."

Fitt also addressed the absence of female riders from the inaugural line-up:

"As we establish and then grow the league, we look forward to having the best female jockeys in the world being involved. We are evaluating a number of growth opportunities following the initial launch season that would both expand the reach of the league and see more global icons put in the spotlight."

If successful, the league could mark a watershed moment for the sport — bringing together racing’s most recognisable names and packaging their talent in a media-forward, fan-focused format designed for a global audience.