Champion Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira will make a sentimental return to the venue and event which catapulted him to worldwide acclaim when he rides in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on 10 December.
Moreira was Singapore-based when competing in the 2012 edition of the championship, when the title was still up for grabs going into the last leg of the four-race competition with Great Britain’s Ryan Moore and local champion Zac Purton among those still in contention.
Purton had the strongest chance in the last leg, riding the favourite, Chancellor, and looked the winner passing the 200m mark until Moreira’s mount, Noble Deluxe, seemingly came from nowhere to win both the race and his jockey the title.
“I thought it was over – I’m stunned, absolutely gutted,” said Purton at the time when the photo finish confirmed the result.
After short riding stints in Hong Kong in 2010 and 2012, Moreira relocated permanently in 2013 where he quickly became a four-time Hong Kong Champion jockey – 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2020/21 – and was renowned for associations with stars of the turf Able Friend, Designs On Rome, Waikuku, Beat The Clock, Sky Darci and Hot King Prawn, among others.
Moreira, who departed Hong Kong’s riding ranks at the end of 2022, hopes to add another LONGINES IJC title to his long list of achievements, which includes Singapore champion jockey crowns in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
