Richard Hughes has all but been confirmed as Britain's champion flat-race jockey for the third time in a row after it was confirmed closest rival Ryan Moore would not be riding in the country again this season.
Moore led the way in the early part of the campaign but said his priority was big race wins around the world.
Being true to his word, Moore rode Hillstar to victory in the Canadian International on Sunday, barely a day after taking part in Champions Day at Ascot.
He was down to ride two horses at Lingfield, south of London on Tuesday, but Moore's agent, Tony Hind, told Britain's Press Association agency: "Ryan is just feeling under the weather today.
"In all the time I've known him he's never missed a day through illness but he woke up this morning and rang me to say he didn't think he could do his rides justice as he is not feeling 100 percent.
"He's going to Australia for the Cox Plate this weekend, after that it is on to America for the Breeders' Cup, back to Australia for the Melbourne Cup and then there's the Hong Kong races."
Meanwhile a delighted Hughes said: "I wouldn't say I've been battling with Ryan, but it feels sweet after the doctor told me I could be out for months when I was injured in Dubai.
"Because of that, I started a month behind everyone else.
"It means more to me than Ryan, but to be champion jockey for a third time is great."
Source: AFP