As footballers, they make great horse riders.

Hong Kong’s top jockeys swapped silks for soccer studs as they braved stifling conditions at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a charity soccer match.

The brainchild of champion Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira and local football legend Peter Wong Hing-kwei, the match benefits local charities the Community Chest of Hong Kong and the Society for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Children.

The match finished 1-1 after regulation time, with a goal by Irish jockey Neil Callan the highlight, before a slightly comical penalty shoot-out decided the result.

It seemed nobody could score, with seven of the 10 penalty takers missing, but calmly taken spot kicks from Zac Purton and Karis Teetan proved the difference as the Magic Man’s “Joao and Friends” team got to lift the trophy.

Joao Moreira and other top Hong Kong-based jockeys swap silks for studs in the name of charity

“It’s a good thing to do, to get the jockeys together and to support some local charities,” Teetan said.

“It’s great fun, Joao and Peter do a good job. It’s also a great chance for some of the jockeys to have a good sweat and lose some weight before racing.”