Former four-time Singapore champion jockey Joao Moreira might make one final appearance in the Lion City before the curtains close on racing for good.
The Brazilian ace could visit Singapore as part of his farewell world tour in 2024. After relinquishing his license in Hong Kong in November 2022 to recover from a debilitating hip injury, Moreira has been selectively riding in Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia. Notably, he clinched three Group 1 wins aboard the Chris Waller-trained Militarize in Sydney.
During Sunday’s races in Hong Kong across the HKIR card, Moreira participated in five races but failed to secure a win. However, he finished a close third behind Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) riding Japanese raider Hishi Iguazu, while the well-fancied Lebensstil, his Vase mount, disappointingly finished eighth.
Moreira’s last appearance at Kranji was during the Premier Gateway International Jockeys Challenge on September 25, 2018. His last victory there was riding Louey Veloce for trainer Stephen Gray on November 18, 2016.
According to an article published by The New Paper on Monday, December 11, the Singapore Turf Club has “rolled out the red carpet” for Moreira to make a cameo visit in 2024. Hopefully, officials will do what they can to arrange a fly-in, fly-out mission for the Magic Man, possibly on Kranji Mile Day or even the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup Day, which marks the final day of racing on October 5, 2024.
