Ryan Moore joined a trio of champion jockeys with a record-equalling third Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) victory courtesy of a brilliant double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Only a week after making his return from a fractured femur, the British superstar bagged his first IJC in 15 years after lifting Corleone and Triumphant More to exciting triumphs.

Moore, who won the prestigious contest in 2009 and 2010, now shares the IJC record with Zac Purton, Douglas Whyte and Frankie Dettori.

“I’ve been fortunate I’ve had pretty good rides most years and I rode a few winners but wasn’t able to win it again,” said Moore, who has competed in the IJC in 19 of the past 20 years.

“Once again I got well looked after by the club or whoever does the draw and they put me on [Corleone] who had outstanding claims and he got the job done.

“The horse in the last looked like he had a chance, but the gate [10] was awkward but it worked out well for him.”

Moore’s two winners on Wednesday night were in complete contrast to one another. Corleone narrowly justified $1.85 favouritism in the second leg, a Class Four over 1,650m, when leading all the way while Triumphant More stormed home from near last to seal Moore’s success in the final leg.

Corleone was all the rage after a dominant last-start win, but the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding had to fight hard to fend off a determined challenge from Rachel King’s mount Ace War to prevail by a short head on Wednesday night.

“He tried very hard. He looked to have obvious outstanding claims really and was well drawn,” Moore said.

“It would have been nice to get [another horse to] lead – he had to make the running and he was a little bit on the bridle in places and a little bit lazy at other times, but he kept putting up plenty in the straight.”

Summing up just how even the contest was, all 12 riders had a live hope heading into the fourth and final leg after Moore, William Buick and Hugh Bowman scored the maximum 12 points for their wins, while Zac Purton was also on 12 after a pair of second placings.

But it was Moore who emerged victorious, expertly steering the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained Triumphant More through the centre of the field in the straight to pounce on the lead in the final 50m.

Sent out a $23.6 chance, Triumphant More won by three-quarters of a length from Umberto Rispoli’s mount Tourbillon Golfer.

“He quickened well. He tries and he shows a good turn of foot,” Moore said.

Moore collected the HK$600,000 first prize, while Buick and Bowman each received HK$200,000 after sharing second place.

Buick claimed the opening leg, a Class Four over 1,000m, with a perfectly timed ride on Manfred Man Ka-leung’s Bunta Baby.

Settled near the tail early, the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained gelding stormed home through the middle of the field in the straight to nail Purton’s mount Beauty Thunder by a neck.

“He came out not the quickest and the pace really felt [like] it was on,” the Briton said.

“He filled up the whole way – it was just about getting the run and when he came home, he came home with a head full of steam. He won well in the end and came off the back of a good run, so he was certainly one of my better rides on the night.

“It’s my first winner at Happy Valley, so I’m very happy to have achieved it.”

Bowman bagged the third leg, a Class Three over 1,650m, when David Eustace’s consistent galloper Silvery Breeze rocketed home to beat Purton’s mount Flying Fortress by a neck.

“He was knocking on the door – his recent form’s been very consistent and his two runs this campaign have been solid,” Bowman said.

“He got the set up to suit him this evening and I got a nice gap when I needed it and he was courageous for me.”

Silvery Breeze delivered Eustace a consolation success after Massive Sovereign was withdrawn from Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) with a leg injury.