It was a case of eyes down for marketing buzzword bingo on Monday morning as news emerged that a dozen leading riders, including Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore, William Buick and Yutaka Take, have signed up to compete in a new international jockeys’ league from 2026. Up to 10 six-race fixtures will be staged annually at some of the sport’s most famous tracks around the world.
According to various reports, the “revolutionary” new competition will, its organisers claim, have “a franchise-based league structure” designed to turn riders into “global icons” and engage a “fresh audience” for racing. The jockeys involved will own equity in their team, act as the “team principal” for their franchise and, if all goes to plan, will be competing for a share of a $15m prize fund within two years.
