A few weeks ago Ryan Moore awarded himself an "8 out of 10" for his 2014 racing accomplishments. Heavens knows then what 10 out of 10 would amount to for the three-time British champion jockey given his stupendous accomplishments this year.
In fact, since next week’s LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship was established back in 1998 it is hard to imagine that any rider has arrived in Hong Kong after such a year of worldwide success. Moore will touch down at the end of a year that has yielded 15 victories at the very highest level embracing seven countries and four continents, and the title of World’s Best Jockey to boot.
Given the cosmopolitan demands for his services it is not surprising that Moore didn't quite manage to bag the UK's domestic jockeys' title though his winning strike-rate at 21% was the best and his 155 winners was within six of rival and friend Richard Hughes.
What the 31-year-old did bag, however, was Australia's two biggest races - first aboard Adelaide in the G1 Cox Plate and then on Protectionist in November's G1 Melbourne Cup. Not only did these wins delight British race fans but Moore also left many of the Aussies entranced - especially after that extraordinary Cox Plate feat on Irish-trained Adelaide at Moonee Valley on 25 October.
On a track that generally favours well-drawn front-runners, Adelaide was badly drawn and about two lengths last at half-way. A no-panic jockey, Moore made his move when the pace was at its weakest and then gave his mount a breather before delivering a stunning finishing burst. Small margins make all the difference and, again and again, Moore manages small margin victories in races - big and small.
However, this determined man is too busy trying to get on the next winner to dwell on any one victory. He also admits that he has been “a bit selfish” in not promoting racing more, an observation that suggests that he is unlikely to win many prizes for public relations.
“The only job I care about - and should care about - is the one I do for my owners and trainers, "says Moore, who is currently on a seven week mission in Japan and Hong Kong.
In doing that job supremely well, Moore has found himself with the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey award in the bag, too. He is the first to collect the accolade, which is given to the rider that has had the most success in the world’s top 100 G1 races in the past 12 months. He took the prize over Christophe Soumillon, despite the Belgian’s G1 Japan Cup victory on Epiphaneia last weekend.
While Ryan's bid on Sunday to ride the Japanese super mare Gentildonna to her third Japan Cup victory was to end in gallant failure with her fourth placed finish, he was quick to pay tribute to his partner in the race.
"It has been great to be associated with her last year here in Japan and in Dubai," he said." She tried hard as she always does, but maybe the race was not run to suit her, and the ground was a little looser than ideal. They went hard from a long way out, it was a grind rather than a sprint, but take nothing away from the winner he was impressive."
Already Moore is looking ahead inevitably to the next challenge and the LONGINES IJC at Happy Valley on Wednesday week. "It's always a great evening, and one that I look forward to. Happy Valley is unique as a place to ride at, and you are riding against the top jockeys. You need luck in the horses that you draw and in the gate that you draw, but it's a great test of skill riding there too."
"Add to that the unique nature of the track, the crowd, which is enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and it all makes for a special atmosphere. I'm hoping for a great night"
Beyond that Moore will have further business in Hong Kong at the LONGINES HKIR the following Sunday, when he will bid first-up in the Hong Kong Vase for G1 race victory number 16 on board the Sir Michael Stoute trained Snow Sky, in what would be a fitting finale to his stellar year.
Moore will receive the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey award at a ceremony to be held during the LONGINES HKIR Gala Dinner on 12 December.
