The 2025 European flat racing season ended in frustration for Ballydoyle number one Ryan Moore. At the end of August, the 42-year-old announced that he would miss the major autumn targets due to a stress fracture of his femur.
Given the talent residing within Aidan O’Brien’s yard, that injury absence seemed likely to cost Moore several top-level wins. And so it proved. Aidan O’Brien saddled 11 Group/Grade 1 wins between 13th September and 1st November, with Christophe Soumillon, Tom Marquand, and Ronan Whelan the men to take advantage of Moore’s injury setback.
Happily, Moore has now made a full recovery and made his much-anticipated return at Lingfield on Wednesday, 3rd December. Seven days after that double at the Surrey venue, Moore headed to the Hong Kong track of Happy Valley for the 2025 edition of the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC).
Star-Studded Cast Assembles
Established in 2008, the IJC sees leading riders from around the world compete for points and prizes across four competitive races. Each race awards 12 points to the winning rider, six to the runner-up, and four to the jockey in third. The rider with the most points at the end of the competition claims the title and the HK$600,000 (£57,600) first-place prize.
Moore won back-to-back editions of the competition in 2009 (shared) and 2010 but was without success since. Appearing as well as ever on his return from injury, he was fancied to go close in 2025. However, the opposition was typically tough, with the following 11 riders all having their eyes on the title.
- Mickael Barzalona – The defending champion and number one rider for the Aga Khan Studs. Barzalona arrived on the back of an excellent season headlined by Daryz’s win in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
- Hugh Bowman – Aussie legend famous for his partnership with the wonder mare Winx. The vastly experienced Bowman has over 100 Group/Grade 1 wins to his name and claimed this prize in 2016
- William Buick – Godolphin’s number one rider and British Champion Jockey in 2022 and 2023. Buick headed to Hong Kong following another successful season, which included wins in the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas
- Hollie Doyle – Britain’s most successful female jockey of all time. Second in 2021 and 2024, could Hollie go one better in 2025?
- Vincent Ho Chak-yiu – Hong Kong legend who became the first homegrown rider to win the International Jockeys’ Championship in 2023
- Rachel King – Formerly based in Britain, King made the move to ride in Australia in 2014. A huge success Down Under, Rachel became the first female rider to win a flat Group 1 in Japan earlier in 2025
- Christophe Lemaire – French legend based in Japan since 2015. Now 46, Lemaire has over 60 Group 1 wins and has been crowned Japan’s most valuable jockey on five occasions
- James McDonald – One of New Zealand’s finest racing exports. Crowned the World Jockey of the Year in 2021 and 2024, he has finished second in this competition on four occasions
- Joao Moreira – A true global superstar, “Magic Man” Moreira has over 2,500 winners to his name. Formerly based in Hong Kong, he claimed the champion jockey title four times and won this competition in 2012
- Zac Purton – Born in Australia, Purton is now the most successful jockey in Hong Kong racing history. A seven-time champion jockey, he lifted this trophy in 2017, 2020, and 2021
- Umberto Rispoli – The only IJC debutante in 2025. Italian rider Rispoli spent nine years riding in Hong Kong. Now based in the U.S., he became the first Italian jockey to win a U.S. Triple Crown race when partnering Journalism to victory in the 2025 Preakness Stakes
Moore Triumphant in Last Leg
Moore started slowly at this year’s championship, with his mount Winning Champion finishing only eighth in the First Leg. William Buick claimed 12 points with Bunta Baby, with Zac Purton and James McDonald taking minor honours.
The market suggested Moore would strike aboard the 17/20f Corleone in the Second Leg. In the end, Moore did get the job done, but only by a rapidly diminishing short head as Corleone gave his backers an almighty fright. Rachel King picked up six points in second with Vincent Ho in third.
Ryan Moore – the Godfather of the #IJC
Corleone hangs on to thwart Ace War and Fortunate Son under the legendary rider…@HKJC_Racing pic.twitter.com/4SXO5m5UTb
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 10, 2025
The Third Leg also went as the market suggested, as Hugh Bowman claimed maximum points aboard the favourite Silvery Breeze. Zac Purton grabbed his second-place finish of the day, with Vincent Ho in third.
Heading into the fourth and final leg, Moore, Buick, Bowman, and Purton were locked together on 12 points, but any one of seven riders had a chance to claim the outright win.
At odds of 226/10, Moore’s final mount was among the less fancied contenders. However, he was certainly named for the occasion. Ignoring his odds and living up to his moniker, Triumphant More produced an irresistible finishing effort to get up close home for a three-quarter-length success.
TRIUMPHANT MOORE!
Ryan Moore claims the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship with a masterful right aboard Triumphant More at Happy Valley…
It’s great to have him back! @HKJC_Racing | @HongKong_Racing | #IJC pic.twitter.com/qs7B999Ngb
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 10, 2025
With Umberto Rispoli and Christophe Lemaire finishing in the places, Moore ran out a comfortable winner of the 2025 International Jockeys’ Championship. Buick and Bowman shared second place on a first-place countback.
2025 International Jockeys’ Championship Final Standings
| Position | Jockey | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ryan Moore | 24 |
| =2nd | William Buick | 12 |
| =2nd | Hugh Bowman | 12 |
| =2nd | Zac Purton | 12 |
| 5th | Vincent Ho | 8 |
| =6th | Rachel King | 6 |
| =6th | Umberto Rispoli | 6 |
| =8th | James McDonald | 4 |
| =8th | Christophe Lemaire | 4 |
