João Moreira

João Moreira (born September 26, 1983), is a Brazilian jockey with extensive experience riding in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Japan. In 2017, Andrew Harding of the Hong Kong Jockey Club described him by saying, "You would have to say he was one of Brazil's greatest sporting exports. Joao is becoming to global racing what Pele or Ronaldo are to football." His family was very poor, and his father died of stomach cancer when Moreira was seven. They lived in a small shack, and at one point he got a job as a stablehand. After becoming successful as a jockey, Moreira bought his widowed mother a house. When he gained admittance to the jockeys' academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he left Curitiba and began riding professionally. At age 16, he sought out the mentorship of Brazilian trainer Ivan Quintana, marking a turning point in his development as a jockey.

Moreira developed a distinctive riding style, using a slightly longer stirrup and shorter rein that requires him to crouch lower on the horse while riding. Some consider it the key to his success. thumb During his early career years in Singapore, he was given his nickname "Magic Man" by the track announcer Craig Evans because of Moreira's ability to get horses to perform far better than expected. He is also known as "Fantasma" or "Fantasma de Cidade Jardim" ("Ghost of Cidade Jardim") in Brazil. The third was at Sha Tin Racecourse on March 5, 2017,

He moved to Hong Kong in October 2013.

Moreira returned to his home in Curitiba, Brazil. After Brazilian doctors provided successful treatment for his hip injury, he began riding races again. then returned to Brazil, winning 131 races, including the 2023 Grande Premio Brasil. Moreira has been named the Champion Jockey in Brazil four times, in 2006/07, 2007/08, 2022/23, and 2023/24.

He then came to Japan and qualified to ride there for three months during the 2024 season. He then returned to Australia in September, 2024. Moreira has also ridden in Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. but was not well known in the United States. He spent a very brief time in the US, riding a total of 17 races at Arlington Park, Calder Race Course, Gulfstream Park and at Churchill Downs in 2013, winning two. He returned to Kentucky in 2025, where he rode for the first time in the Kentucky Derby in 2025 at age 41 aboard Fukuryu Stakes winner Luxor Cafe. Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini - (1) - Obataye (2025)

Brazil

Grande Prêmio Brasil - (2) - Raptor's (2023), Obataye (2024) Gran Premio Latinoamericano - (1) - Obataye (2025) Grande Prêmio Roberto e Nelson Seabra - (1) - Kenlova (2023) Grande Prêmio Estado do Rio de Janeiro - (1) - Monanfan (2024) Grande Prêmio Francisco Eduardo e Linneo Eduardo de Paula Machado - (1) - Quantify (2023) Grande Prêmio Diana - (2) - Bubbly Jane (2008), Presente (2009) Grande Prêmio Henrique de Toledo Lara - (1) - Bubbly Jane (2008) Grande Prêmio Presidente da República - (1) - Uigur (2008) Grande Prêmio OSAF - (1) - Kenlova (2023) Grande Prêmio Juliano Martins - (1) - Fígaro (2023) Grande Prêmio ABCPCC - (1) - Oriana do Iguassu (2023)

Uruguay

Gran Premio Ciudad de Montevideo - (1) - Pacholli (2024)

Performance at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Seasons Total Rides No. of Wins No. of 2nds No. of 3rds No. of 4ths Stakes won 2013/2014 478 97 71 59 51 HK$99,347,312 2014/2015 595 145 89 64 71 HK$173,715,365 2015/2016 664 168 105 101 61 HK$178,829,947 2016/2017 711 170 104 84 78 HK$207,249,728 2017/2018 660 134 98 76 74 HK$162,786,520 2018/2019 495 90 75 54 45 HK$132,239,825 2019/2020 719 138 123 91 68 HK$206,911,365.50 2020/2021 742 157 103 93 76 HK$215,300,250 2021/2022 694 132 103 69 76 HK$182,602,240

Personal life Moreira is married to Taciana, who is also from Brazil. The couple have three children: one son named Miguel, another named Murilo and a daughter named Marina.

Outside of horse racing, Moreira is a passionate fan of football. During his time riding in Hong Kong, he frequently attended Hong Kong Premier League matches and was known as an avid football enthusiast.