“Pleasure to Ride”: 2023 Equestrian Jockey of the Year Reflects on Journey Aboard Champion Equines

The 2023 equestrian season has produced some exceptional performances from jockeys. Be it Frankie Dettori in the Champion stakes at Ascot or Christopher Lemaire’s Japan Cup heroics, horse racing enthusiasts had a lot to cheer for. However, the best of the lot was Ryan Moore’s stellar season.

Moore notched up some exhilarating rides, winning eight “World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races” this year. Owing to a stellar season, the British Champion jockey was crowned the Longines Jockey of the Year 2023. Recently, the 40-year-old reflected on his year, and of course his star equines.

Ryan Moore full of praise for beloved horses

Moore was crowned the Longines Jockey of the Year 2023 by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. Riders are awarded points for finishing in the top three of Grade 1 races, 12 for the winner, 6 for the runner-up, and 4 for the 3rd placed jockey. After winning eight of Group 1 events, Moore was crowned the champion for a record-tying 4th time.

He recently spoke about the star-studded lineup of horses he rode this year. “The key is trying to give every horse you ride the best possible chance you can”, the flat racing rider said. Moore’s star-studded line-up of horses includes Wellington, Luxembourg, Paddington, and Auguste Rodin.

Ryan spoke highly of Wellington, saying “he was a pleasure to ride”. Luxembourg, who played a crucial part in the Breeders’ Cup winners’ 2023 triumph, was given the title of ‘higher class’ horse by the 40-year-old. Paddington helped the British Jockey triumph at Sussex stakes. Praising him, Moore said, “Very, very good horse”. However, the best of them all was Auguste Rodin.

Equestrian jockey of the year hails Auguste Rodin

Auguste Rodin was the best of the lot, propelling Moore to victories at prestigious events including Breeders’ Cup Turf, Champion Stakes, and Derby. Speaking of him, the 2023 jockey of the year said, “He’s won two Derby. A champion stakes and a breeder’s cup turf”. The Aidan O’Brien-trained equine played an instrumental role in the jockey’s record-tying 4th title.

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Moore racked up a massive 156 points this year, 36 more than British Flat Racing Champion Frankie Dettori. He is now tied with Dettori for the most Jockey of the Year awards. With Dettori retired now, Moore would surely be eying to overtake him in the 2024 season.

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