At his first high profile event since recovering from a fractured femur, Moore beat 11 of the world’s top riders with two victories at Happy Valley in Hong Kong
Ryan Moore: won the Longines International Jockeys Championship in Hong Kong for the third time
Ryan Moore has won the Longines International Jockeys Championship in Hong Kong for the third time
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Ryan Moore captured the Longines International Jockeys’ Challenge for the third time on Wednesday just seven days after returning from a long injury absence. The 42-year-old had been sidelined with a stress fracture of the femur since August and as a result missed a series of big race meetings for Aidan O’Brien.
During the period France’s ten-time champion jockey Christophe Soumillon rode seven Group 1 victories for O’Brien, including the Ballydoyle trainer’s 26th top level victory of 2025 on Gstaad in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Moore returned to action at Lingfield where he rode a double last week, and on his next appearance defeated 11 of the world’s top riders by winning two of the four races and top the podium at Happy Valley in Hong Kong.
Describing the last few weeks before his comeback, Moore said: “I was just waiting. I’d ask the doctors every two weeks if they’d let me ride and as soon as they’ve allowed me I’ve come back.
“I’m usually fortunate to have had pretty good rides most years and I’ve rode a few winners but wasn’t able to win it again. I’m thankful I got well looked after by the Club or whoever does the draw.
“They put me on one horse that had outstanding claims and he got the job done and the horse in the last looked like he had a good chance and it all worked out well.
Ryan Moore: with the first of two winners, Corleone
Moore with the first of two winners, Corleone
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“This year you had a bunch of riders that a majority of which had ridden for a time in Hong Kong.”
Moore joined an elite list of three-time winners of the event, Frankie Dettori, Douglas Whyte and Zac Purton.
He is staying on to ride Los Angeles and The Lion In Winter for O’Brien in the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Arsenal fanatic Moore received a huge trophy and a cheque for £60,000 for his night's work but was also asked about the outcome of the Premier League title race., in which the Gunners hold a narrow lead.
"There was a little slip the last week or so, and injuries, they happen.," he said. "Yeah, they'll win it, they'll win the League."