Jockey Ryan Moore scored a Group One double and there were two Group One victories for Japanese horses at the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday (13th December).

The prospect of seeing the world's best jockeys and fastest thoroughbreds in action was clearly an exciting one for these racing fans.

The biggest event in the Hong Kong racing calendar - the Hong Kong International Races - attracted a crowd of 85,000 at Sha Tin.

The first of four Group One contests was the Hong Kong Vase with Andre Fabre's Flintshire defending his crown.

The French star made a bold bid on the outside but he was beaten by Irish three-year-old Highland Reel under jockey Ryan Moore with another French horse, Dariyan, in third.

That was a first Hong Kong Vase for trainer Aidan O'Brien and yet another Group One prize for the Coolmore operation.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Ryan Moore, winning jockey on Highland Reel:

Q - Did it all go well for you?

"Not really. If I'd have been left alone, he'd have won very easy. He's turned into a very good horse and, he's had a hard schedule but he keeps getting better. He's improved immensely from the start of the year and he saw the trip out extremely well."

There wasn't much time for Moore to celebrate his win- he was up again in the Hong Kong Mile on Japanese horse Maurice against odds-on favourite Able Friend.

Maurice, trained by Noriyuki Hori, had won two Group Ones in Japan this year and he staked his claim to be one of the best 'milers' on the planet with a powerful late run.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Ryan Moore, winning jockey on Maurice:

"Yeah, it went very smoothly. I think he probably wasn't quite at his best today. He didn't have that sharpness instantly. But he fought really well, he got in a battle and he wanted it and he put his head down at the end.

Giant Treasure pipped last year's victor for second place but there was no doubt about the winner - and Moore even managed a rare smile as he acknowledged the crowd.