MOORE RARING TO GO AFTER RETURNING FROM INJURY

By Hong Kong Jockey Club (Scott Burton) | Tuesday, December 9, 2025

The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley without Ryan Moore is almost unthinkable, and on Wednesday night (10 December), the 42-year-old will join 11 of the world’s elite riders for the 19th time in 20 years.

That couldn’t have been taken for granted when the line-up was first announced a month ago, as Moore continued his recovery from a stress fracture of the femur, which was first revealed at the end of August.

But the four-time recipient of the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey award made his return to race riding when landing a double at Lingfield a week out from the LONGINES IJC, and was in relaxed mood at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning (9 December) after riding a barrier trial for longtime ally John Size.

Triumphant in what is widely regarded as the best jockeys’ challenge in world racing in both 2009 and 2010, Moore has been on the podium on four more occasions.

Wednesday night’s lineup features defending champion Mickael Barzalona, Christophe Lemaire, William Buick, James McDonald, Rachel King, Hollie Doyle, Joao Moreira, Umberto Rispoli, in addition to Zac Purton, Vincent Ho and Hugh Bowman.

Appearing at the JC Cube in Tai Kwun, Hong Kong, China on Tuesday night Moore said: “I’m pleased to be back riding in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship. Everyone wants to ride here, and why wouldn’t you want to be part of it?”

Happy Valley poses a unique test of a rider’s positional skills, their balance and their timing; all areas in which Moore excels.

But the allocation system employed to even out the chances of the 12 jockeys places a premium not only on finding a horse that may be a pound or two ahead of the handicapper, but on being drawn in a handy spot from where you can ride a race.

Moore admitted: “Draws are always important around the Valley and it’s probably the first thing you look at.”

In that sense Moore has good chances to get points on the board, especially courtesy of Corleone – a winner on his seasonal return for Caspar Fownes – breaking from stall two in the 2nd Leg over 1650m, and the Jamie Richards trained Storming Dragon (129lb), housed in stall four for the 3rd Leg (1650m).

Gate six is certainly workable for Winning Champion in the 1st Leg (1000m), while Moore might reflect that being drawn 12 of 12 was no barrier to Barzalona sealing the LONGINES IJC trophy 12 months ago; Triumphant More breaks from stall ten and would be a headline writer’s dream were he to get the job done in the 4th Leg (1200m).

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