Record-breaking British jockey Saffie Osborne, French superstar Maxime Guyon and top Irish duo Dylan Browne McMonagle and Rossa Ryan will add star power to Hong Kong’s elite riding ranks after being granted visiting jockeys’ licences this winter.

The quartet will arrive over a staggered period, starting with Osborne in November, and at a time when Hugh Bowman – championship runner-up to Zac Purton the past two seasons – faces at least four months on the sidelines if he opts to undergo surgery on a hip injury.

Osborne created history earlier this month when she became the first female jockey to win a British Classic by guiding the Joseph O’Brien-trained Highwayman to victory in the Group One St Leger at Doncaster.

The 24-year-old rising star, who has ridden almost 400 winners, will make her Hong Kong debut on November 8 and ride in the city until December 23.

“It’s a real honour to have been invited, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Osborne said.

“I’ve watched a huge amount of racing in Hong Kong. It’s something that, over here, we will follow very closely, and it’s somewhere I’ve always dreamed of being able to go and ride. To be able to go and do that this winter is really special.

“I’ve been very lucky to ride in lots of different countries, and I think each place you go, you learn new things, and it makes you a better jockey. But obviously I would love to bang in a few winners. I’m just really excited to experience the atmosphere. I’ve never been to Hong Kong, but the atmosphere at the races looks incredible.”

Four-time French champion jockey Guyon will return for another Hong Kong stint from December 2 to February 8, having ridden 15 winners – including Sosie in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) – in his winter campaign last term.

“I’m lucky because I’ve won some good races in Hong Kong,” Guyon said. “I love to ride in Hong Kong because it’s a very good place to be a jockey. The racing is very good there.

“If I can win any big races – a Group One or something, it’s very important for me. If I can ride between 10 and 20 winners over the winter there, it’s really good.”

One of the most exciting young riders in the world, Browne McMonagle also returns to Hong Kong after notching 10 wins in a short stint last season. The 23-year-old will ride from January 6 to February 28.

Ryan, 26, has ridden more than 1,200 winners including the Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The British-based rider will ride in Hong Kong from December 2 to February 28, excluding the Boxing Day meeting at Sha Tin.

“It’s definitely an adventure I’m excited to get on,” Ryan said. “I’m kind of at that stage now where I like to hope I’m ready and I know how to hold my own. I’m ready for the next chapter, you could say.

“It’s all about learning the other jockeys’ characters and how they ride, and what could be the best way of beating them. But also for me, going to Hong Kong this winter, it’s the first time since I started riding where I can actually go somewhere and focus on my weight and my fitness. I can enjoy it and try to do as well as I can.”

Osborne, Guyon and Ryan will be eligible to ride in the Longines Hong Kong International Races week, which starts with the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on December 9.

“Saffie’s historic St Leger win earlier this month captured the imagination of the entire sport; Maxime is one of the finest riders of his generation, Dylan is the reigning Irish champion, and Rossa has proven himself on the biggest stages,” Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding said.

“Their presence will add another layer of competition and excitement at Sha Tin and Happy Valley, and I have no doubt our fans will relish witnessing them in action.”