Moore in select company as he rides 2,000th British winner

Ryan Moore reached a new milestone in his outstanding career at Kempton on Wednesday night when he rode his 2,000th Flat winner in Britain.

The three-time champion jockey hit the landmark when he partnered Billesdon Brook to victory in the 7f novice stakes.

The success took Moore into a select group of riders to have reached the 2,000-winner mark. Among jockeys still competing, only Frankie Dettori, who has partnered 3,068 winners, and Joe Fanning (2,198) have bagged more.

However, Moore is not even halfway towards the all-time record held by Sir Gordon Richards, a 26-time champion whose score stands at 4,870. Pat Eddery is next on 4,633, with Lester Piggott behind him on 4,493.

Moore, who completed a double on Roger Varian's Gibbs Hill, said: "I wasn't actually sure I was on my 2,000th. I'd heard a few people say it. It's nice to get it."

Moore, 33, rode his first winner over jumps in an amateur riders' handicap hurdle at Towcester on Mersey Beat, trained by his father Gary, in May 2000. He recorded his first on the Flat the following month, helping him end the year champion amateur.

He became champion apprentice in 2003 and was champion jockey in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

He has won the Derby twice, on Workforce and Ruler Of The World, and as first jockey to the Coolmore partners has gone on to become recognised as one of the world's leading riders, if not the best. He scooped the world's best jockey award in 2014 and 2016.

The Kentucky Derby in particular, and Dubai World Cup are major races worldwide Moore covets most, having never won them, while domestically it is the big all-aged races, like the Eclipse, King George and Champion Stakes – even more so than the Classics with the exception of the Derby – he cherishes.

He rides Coral-Eclipse favourite Cliffs Of Moher at Sandown on Saturday and added: "He's a nice horse, he only just got caught in the Derby and I'm looking forward to him."

WINNINGMOST FLAT JOCKEYS IN BRITAIN

Wins First/last win Titles

4870 Sir Gordon Richards (1921-54) 26

4633 Pat Eddery (1969-2003) 11

4493 Lester Piggott (1948-94) 11

3828 Willie Carson (1962-96) 5

3111 Doug Smith (1932-67) 5

3068 Frankie Dettori (1987- ) 3

2810 Joe Mercer (1950-85) 1

2748 Fred Archer (1870-86) 13

2593 Edward Hide (1951-93) -

2587 George Fordham (1851-83) 14

2578 Kieren Fallon (1988-2016) 6

2547 George Duffield (1967-2004) -

2450 Kevin Darley (1977-2007) 1

2428 Richard Hughes (1994-2015) 3

2312 Eph Smith (1930-65) -

2234 Richard Quinn (1981-2008) -

2198 Joe Fanning (1990- ) -

2161 Scobie Breasley (1950-68) 4

2068 Billy Nevett (1924-56) -

2052 Seb Sanders (1990-2015) 1

2001 Ryan Moore (2000- ) 3

RYAN MOORE CV

Full name Ryan Lee Moore

Born September 18, 1983

Parents Gary and Jayne Moore

Apprenticed to Gary Moore 2001-02, Richard Hannon 2002-03

First ride/First winner Mersey Beat, amateur riders' handicap hurdle, Towcester, May 15, 2000

Second winner/First on Flat No Extras, Newmarket, June 3, 2000

First Group 1 winner Notnowcato (2006 Juddmonte International)

Derby winners Workforce (2010), Ruler Of The World (2013)

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners Workforce (2010), Found (2016)

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners Conduit (2009), Highland Reel (2016)

Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist (2014)

Breeders' Cup Turf winners Conduit (2008, 2009), Magician (2013), Found (2015)

Other British Classic winners Snow Fairy (2010 Oaks), Homecoming Queen (2012 1,000 Guineas), Gleneagles (2015 2,000 Guineas), Legatissimo (2015 1,000 Guineas), Minding (2016 1,000 Guineas, Oaks), Churchill (2017 2,000 Guineas)

Group 1 winner for the Queen Estimate (2013 Ascot Gold Cup)

Six winners in one day July 25, 2012 (4 at Lingfield, 2 at Sandown)

Five winners on one card York, June 11, 2011; Newbury, May 16, 2015

Royal Ascot wins 48 (including post-war record 9 in 2015)

Most wins in a year in Britain 194 (2013)

Champion apprentice 2003 (59 wins)

Champion jockey 3 times: 2006, 2008, 2009

Compiled by John Randall