THE 2015 International Jockeys’ Challenge will be held over two meetings this year, at Turffontein on Saturday 15 November and Sunday 16 November, according to the event’s organiser Larry Wainstein, chief executive of the Racing Association.

‘Bling’ Khumalo will Captain the South African Team of jockeys against an International squad.

The Challenge between a six-man team of South African riders, to be captained by the current SA champion jockey S’manga Khumalo, and six international jockeys will be held over four handicaps at each meeting. The runners are seeded by a panel of racing experts to ensure as level a playing field as possible, with one team drawing horses seeded 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 with the other team pulling the remaining mounts.

Points are awarded as follows: first – 30; second – 15; third – 12; fourth – 10; fifth – 8; sixth – 7 down to 1 for last. If a jockey does not ride in a race, he gets seven points.

The team that scores the most points wins the Challenge but there are also awards for the top riders in each of the legs and the top rider overall.

Wainstein said the teams would be announced sometime next week when the headline and other sponsors would also be confirmed.