Joao Moreira Jockey Profile
Joao Moreira’s dynamic and distinctive, low-crouching style is not only instantly recognisable in a race, but his strike rate suggests it is as effective as it is unique. Riding with a long stirrup and short rein, Moreira uses his freakish balance to place his weight forward of the wither, enabling him to manoeuvre horses through gaps that are barely there.
Rival jockeys have compared his style to that of a motorcycle rider and his subtle shifting of weight helps horses maintain their balance as he weaves his way through the field.
One of the unfair criticisms of Moreira has been that he lacks power in a finish, or is simply a ‘natural’ that lacks the tactical nous of his rivals – namely Zac Purton – but both are a furphy. It is impossible to ride 1,237 winners at 21 per cent in Hong Kong and lack the ability to lift a horse over the line. Tactically, Moreira’s in-race adjustments are remarkable – he is at his best when the unexpected happens in a race – and is a superb judge of pace, as evidenced by his revolutionising the ‘mid-race move’ in Hong Kong, especially at Happy Valley.
From a technical perspective, few can switch whip hands faster, and he earned his nickname “Magic”, then “the Magic Man”, in Singapore, for his ability to turn around the form of older, seemingly exposed, horses.
Joao Moreira’s Origin Story
Joao Moreira grew up in the poverty stricken Pinhais neighbourhood on the outskirts of the southern Brazil city of Curitiba. The youngest of eight children, he learned to ride as a self-confessed recalcitrant horse thief, jumping fences into fields and leaping onto an unsuspecting cart horse’s back. Moreira got his break at the famed, but tough, Sao Paulo jockeys academy, but it was when he combined with legendary jockey-turned-trainer Ivan Quintana that Moreira began to find that magic.
What is Joao Moreira’s greatest achievement as a jockey?
Before Joao Moreira set the record for most wins in a Hong Kong race day with eight victories on March 5, 2017, the most any jockey there had ridden in a day was six. Racecaller Brett Davis captured the moment when he said after Prawn Baba crossed the line: “A wave of the wand, a puff of smoke, and the Magic Man has eight.”
That record-breaking day came in the midst of a record-breaking season of 170 victories, but it wasn’t the first time Moreira had ridden eight on a single card. The Brazilian also rode eight at Kranji in Singapore in 2013 and eight in one day at Cidade Jardim, Sao Paulo, in his home country of Brazil, in 2008.
Which horse is Joao Moreira most famous for riding?
In Hong Kong, Moreira rode a host of champions, winning all of the city’s major races on horses like Rapper Dragon, Designs On Rome, Beat The Clock and Hot King Prawn, as well as Japanese raiders Maurice, Glory Vase and Neorealism. In South America, he rode the champion Eu Tambem.
When you think of Moreira in full flow, the horse he looked best on was one of Hong Kong’s all-time greats, the giant miler Able Friend, whose rocket-like finishing burst up the Sha Tin straight made him a crowd favourite.
What is Joao Moreira’s best ever ride?
After so many big race wins, is it unfair to choose a losing ride? Moreira’s effort aboard champion miler Able Friend in the 2014 Hong Kong Derby showcased the rider’s dynamism, tactical awareness and bravery.
Knowing that his rival Designs On Rome had the edge at the Derby distance of 2000m, Moreira picked a ground-saving passage through the field, manoeuvring the big chestnut into the lead with just over 200m to go, only to have Designs On Rome, who had superior stamina at the distance, prove too strong.
Who is Joao Moreira’s greatest rival?
Australian jockey Zac Purton had only just slayed the dragon that was Douglas Whyte when Moreira turned up on the scene in 2013. After Purton captured his first championship in 2013-14, Moreira captured the next three at a record-setting clip, winning by margins that made it seem a one-act affair. The next four seasons saw memorable battles though, none greater than in 2021-22 when Purton gunned down Moreira with a four-timer on the final day of the season.
Which sporting franchise would Joao Moreira be?
Moreira’s love of football means it has to be of the world ball game, and a dominant side at that. Perhaps the best comparison is the national team of Brazil – the Seleção Canarinha – given Moreira’s unique style and the worldwide acclaim he has attracted.
Moreira actually supports the ‘second team’ in his home city of Curitiba, ‘Coritiba Football Club’, known colloquially as Coxa. The team is currently competing in Brazil’s Series B.
Did you know…
Moreira’’s full name is João Henrique Almansa Moreira.
Why Did Joao Moreira Go To Japan, But Return To Hong Kong?
Moreira rocked the racing world when he revealed he would quit Hong Kong racing at the end of the 2017-18 season and attempt to become the third foreign jockey (after Christophe Lemaire and Mirco Demuro) to be granted a full-time licence to ride in Japan. After failing the difficult quiz on Japanese racing history, rules and general facts, Moreira returned to Hong Kong as John Size’s retained rider, shortly after the start of the 2018-19 season.
Has Joao Moreira Retired?
Joao Moreira is still riding, mostly in his home country of Brazil but also on short stints in Japan and at big meetings around the world.
In October 2022, Moreira announced he would stop riding in Hong Kong full-time as he recovered from a painful hip injury. He said that the injury would mean he would likely retire from riding within 18-months. Since then he has ridden on a reduced schedule but with much success. Based out of Curitiba and riding mostly in Sao Paulo, he has won many feature races in his homeland, and, in April, he captured his first Japanese classic when Stellenbosch won the Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas).
Our Favourite Joao Moreira Stories
Zac Purton, Hong Kong Trainer? Nicole ‘Pushing’ For New Chapter
【妻子推動】Nicole鼓勵潘頓開倉從練
【香港競馬】パートン、妻から調教師転向を薦められる
Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton opens up to Idol Horse about where he’s at, and what the future might hold should wife Nicole get her way…
這位香港冠軍騎師談及他目前處境以及如果如妻子所願的話，未來可能會帶來不同。
7度目のリーディングジョッキーを確実視される香港のザック・パートン騎手。今シーズンの状況と、将来的な調教師転向の可能性を語ってくれた。
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Purton Could Be Key As Ng And Lui Go To The Wire
【煞科VIP】潘頓可成伍鵬志與呂健威的爭冠關鍵
最終日までもつれた香港競馬のリーディング調教師争い、勝負の鍵はパートン騎手？
The soon-to-be seven-time champion jockey Zac Purton will be right in the mix of the action when the Hong Kong champion trainer title is decided at Sha Tin on Sunday.
即將七度奪冠的潘頓，在本週日的冠軍練馬師爭奪戰中將處於決定性的核心位置。
日曜日のシャティン開催で、2人のリーディング調教師争いが遂に決着する。ピエール・ン調教師とフランシス・ルイ調教師の師弟対決、カギを握るのはパートン騎手の存在かもしれない。
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