RYAN MOORE - A STAR OFF THE TRACK AS WELL

By Hong Kong Jockey Club (Jim McGrath) | Friday, December 15, 2023

Top international jockeys have been coming to Hong Kong since the start of the professional era in 1971. In that first season, with Happy Valley the only track, the RHKJC — R was for ‘Royal’ in those days — managed to entice Lester Piggott and Yves Saint-Martin, the best in England and France, respectively.

Then came other big names such as Joe Mercer from England and Gianfranco Dettori, Frankie’s dad, from Italy, who both won the Jockeys’ Invitation Cup ... and over the years most of the best riders from a variety of countries have flocked to Hong Kong to try their luck.

These days, the visitors keep coming. Their widely accepted leader is Englishman Ryan Moore, recently crowned LONGINES World’s Best Jockey for the fourth time.

Moore, 40, has won 16 Classics in Britain, two Arc de Triomphes, two Japan Cups, multiple LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) features, and in Australia, the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper, as well as 14 Breeders’ Cup races in America.

During HKIR week, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer, praised Moore for his contribution to Hong Kong racing in general, and specifically the encouragement and guidance he has given home-grown star Vincent Ho.

“I want to express my gratitude to Ryan Moore, who was Vincent’s mentor. Ryan, as a world class jockey, is willing to give something back (to racing), and he has helped Vincent to develop,” he said.

It was a proud moment for Hong Kong when Ho lifted the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley, emerging on top of a collection of the world’s best, which included Moore, James McDonald, Mickael Barzalona, Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle.

Ho was rightly delighted by his IJC triumph and also his win on Golden Sixty in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

So, did Moore have anything to say to his young protege after that famous victory?

“I saw Ryan after the next race. He congratulated me. He is always good to me. Ryan is always helpful to the young generation. And also in the jockeys’ room. Maybe he’s not the most popular guy with the media, but with his fellow jockeys and those working in the stables, he is a really respectful and helpful guy,” Ho said.

And the best advice Moore has given Ho, especially in relation to Golden Sixty?

“He just told me ‘You don’t have to worry about anything because you know the horse. You know what to do.

“He always says to trust your horse, no matter what horse you are on. You’ve got to trust them. The mind will be aligned with them and things will be better.

"It’s always good to have Ryan in Hong Kong."

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