Zac Purton wins International Jockey crown

Record-breaking Australian rider Zac Purton has become a three-time winner of the International Jockeys' Championship in Hong Kong, underlining his status as one of the very best pilots in global horseracing.

The 38-year-old Queenslander joined South African Douglas Whyte and legendary UK-based Italian Frankie Dettori as a triple winner of the prestigious championship at Happy Valley that brings together a host of the world's best jockeys.

Four days after he overtook Whyte as the winner of the most prize-money as a jockey in Hong Kong racing history, the serial winner Purton took the title in the four-race contest, amassing 22 points by finishing second in three contests and third in another.

His consistency powered him to a third title in five seasons, having also won in 2017 and 2020, and left him pocketing a prize worth $90,000.

He had some near-misses, earning his runners-up spots on Glorious Lover, Amazing One Plus and Shining Gem with his third place coming aboard Circuit Seven.

"I came here a little bit worried about the quality of horses I was riding and knew that I was going to need things go my way and luckily I was able to get some nice runs on them and give them their chances," said Purton.

"It was a bit frustrating I kept getting beaten in those photos, but I suppose that makes for good racing and a good competition. The points added up -it's very satisfying."

It was enough for him to outdo the four winning riders - Melbourne Cup-winning New Zealander James McDonald, British couple Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle, and Frenchman Mickael Barzalona - who shared a four-way tie for second with 12 points each.

Australian David Hayes claimed the trainers' championship with a win - Awesome Treasure - and two third