He's back! Ryan Moore returns to the big stage to clinch third Hong Kong international jockeys' title

Ryan Moore made an emphatic big-race return when landing the Longines International Jockeys' Championship under the bright lights of Happy Valley.

The jockey, who returned to action with a double at Lingfield last week following a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a stress fracture to his leg in August, showed no signs of rustiness when winning the first and last of four legs on Corleone and the aptly named Triumphant More.

"I'm very fortunate to have been coming back here for so many years and it's a long time since I last won it," said Moore after his third victory in the competition.

"Fortunately, I had two very good rides and it worked out nicely. I'm just thankful to be coming back here and I had the luck tonight."

Ryan Moore wins the second leg of the Longines International Jockeys' ChampionshipCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Moore will be in action again at Sha Tin on Sunday when he is due to partner Japanese sprinter Satono Reve, The Lion In Winter and Los Angeles.

The competition brings together 12 of the world's best jockeys – a mixture of local and international riders – and each receives the superstar treatment, walking along a red carpet and being presented to the crowd before the opener against the backdrop of high-rises surrounding the track.

Points are awarded in each leg, with 12 for a win, six for second and four for third, while the overall prize pot for the four races this year was HK$7.5 million (£723,000/€827,381). Moore finished on 24 points, ahead of William Buick and Hugh Bowman, who won the remaining two races.

Buick celebrated his first winner at the track on Bunta Baby, who just held on to deny Zac Purton and the fast-finishing Beauty Thunder, while 2016 winner Bowman landed the penultimate leg on the David Eustace-trained Silvery Breeze, a neck winner from Flying Fortress, again under Purton.

Moore added: "This year you had a bunch of riders with experience of riding in Hong Kong. The majority had ridden here for an extended period of time, so they were aware of how it all works and where they needed to be in races.

"We've said for many years, Hong Kong has the most competitive racing and when you have a strong product and good prize-money, the best will turn up." 

Read more here

'I don’t want to embarrass myself. I want to put on a good show' - Frankie Dettori ready for first leg of final hurrah in Buenos Aires 

'We do intend to go to Australia again' - Dubai Honour set for more travels despite missing Hong Kong  

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.