Ryan Moore showed he is right back at the top of his game in winning the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship for the third time at Happy Valley in Hong Kong – sealing victory aboard the aptly-named Triumphant More.
One of the world’s very best, Moore, 42, missed the latter stages of the Flat season with a stress fracture of his femur and only returned to the saddle a week ago, although he wasted little time getting back among the prizes with a winner that day at Lingfield.
Moore was one of several British riders partaking in the big event that acts as a pre-cursor to a huge day of racing at Sha Tin on Sunday, and with two winners gained courtesy of Corleone and Triumphant More, he topped the table after the four legs.
“I'm very fortunate to have been coming back here for so many years and it's a long time since I last won it,” said Moore, who won the second leg on front-runner Corleone over the extended mile for Caspar Fownes.
“It's fortunate I had two very good rides today and it worked out nicely for me. I'm just thankful to be coming back here and I had the luck tonight.”
William Buick finished joint runner-up with High Bowman with both jockeys earning HK$200,000 (approx. £19,200), had been delighted to reach a milestone in the first leg when winning on Bunta Baby.
Manfred Man's charge came with a late challenge and passed Purton and Beauty Thunder shortly before the line.
“It's my first winner at Happy Valley, so I'm very happy to have achieved it,” Buick said.
“He was coming off the back of a good run last time and was one of my better chances on the night so it's great to get it done.”
