Ryan Moore completed the Group 1 “Grand Slam” of Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) – the Vase, Sprint, Mile and Cup.
Aidan O'Brien's number one jockey picked up his third Hong Kong Vase aboard Coolmore's Mogul, before going on to seal his first win in the Hong Kong Sprint with Japanese raider Danon Smash.
Moore had previously partnered Snow Fairy (2010) and Maurice (2016) to Hong Kong Cup wins, while Maurice also landed the Hong Kong Mile with the three-time UK Champion Jockey aboard in 2015.
Zac Purton, Joao Moreira and Gerald Mosse are the other three jockeys to have also completed the HKIR “Grand Slam.”
Moore first travelled to Hong Kong in 2001 as a teenager, never dreaming he would rise to acclaim as the Longines World's Best Jockey among a host of other accolades.
“I've always loved coming to Hong Kong. I came here when I was 18 and they were doing the breeze-up sale and I've always loved coming here,” he said.
“I hadn't even rode as an apprentice then and I remember coming here and watching Douglas (Whyte) ride all the winners. It was a different time but it was always a great atmosphere and you know how much it means to the punters here. They love their racing and it will be great to have them back here.
“It's fantastic racing and competitive racing. It's been a shame I wasn't able to get over here earlier this year but hopefully we can come again. The year for everyone has been a mess but we're very thankful to everyone at the Hong Kong Jockey Club for getting me over. It's been a big effort and I can't really stress enough the time they've put in. We're very thankful to get us over here.”
Following Moore's two Group 1 wins, Golden Sixty, last season's Hong Kong Derby winner, put in a scintillating performance in the Hong Kong Mile to confirm his class at the highest level. It was the son of Medaglia d'Oro's 14th win in 15 starts.
Race reply: https://twitter.com/HongKong_Racing/status/1338030726739013634
In the final Group 1 of the day, Ireland's Magical was sent off favourite and battled well to finish third, but the race went the way of Japanese raider Normcore.
Race reply: https://twitter.com/HongKong_Racing/status/1338047740522225665
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