Ryan Moore’s name has been synonymous with the Hong Kong International week since 2006 and the jockey has again been invited to compete in the International Jockey Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday 4 December. Winner of the Challenge Title in 2009 and 2010, Moore has since finished in the top three on four other occasions.
"I've always seen it as a privilege to be asked to ride in the LONGINES IJC and all the time I'm able to and I'm wanted, I'll never say no," he said.
"If you don't want to ride here, then I don't know. It's the best jockeys' challenge and a great week, and I always like to hope I'll be riding on the Sunday in the LONGINES HKIR races.
"Racing in Hong Kong is probably the most competitive in the world and I'm always delighted to take part when I'm asked."
Twelve months ago, Moore was beaten a short head in the 2000m Group One Hong Kong Cup aboard the Aidan O'Brien trained Luxembourg, finishing second behind local champ and multiple International Group One winner Romantic Warrior.This year Ballydoyle's number one rider will be aboard either Group One Yorkshire Oaks winning filly Content or Group One placed filly Wingspan.
Moore recognises Romantic Warrior will be the horse to beat again in the feature race:
"(Trainer) Danny (Shum) has done a great job and I think James (McDonald) rides him beautifully.
"He's an uncomplicated horse who starts very well, they can position him wherever they want to. He doesn't over-race, he relaxes. He's very professional, he's all business and has a great will to win.
Luxembourg is also scheduled to return to Sha Tin, but this time to contest the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase over 2400m.
2024 has been another highly successful year for Moore, having notched up ninteen Group One winners and he will aim to add another one in Sunday's Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m) with the unpredictable Epsom Derby hero Auguste Rodin. A win in this race would boost Auguste Rodin's stallion prospects, with his breeding making the colt particularly attractive to Japanese breeders by Japan Cup winning stallion Deep Impact out of the Group One winning mare Rhododendron.
Auguste Rodin faces strong opposition including the two local favourites - Japan Oaks winner Cervina and Do Deuce, winner of last months' Tenno Sho. Two European horses will also line up – King George winner Goliath, a race where he defeated Augustin Rodin and 2023 German Derby winner Fantastic Moon.
A victory in Sunday's feature race would place Ryan Moore in a good position to be crowned LONGINES World's Best Jockey, an accolade which will be announced at the Hong Kong International Gala Dinner on Friday 6 December.
