Joao Moreira

Joao Moreira is a Brazilian flat jockey known as "the Magic Man," based in Hong Kong, where he has built one of the most remarkable records in the history of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He has won multiple Hong Kong champion jockey titles and holds records for winners in a single season at the territory's two racecourses, Sha Tin and Happy Valley.

Moreira first made his name in Singapore, where he set records that stood for years before his move to Hong Kong in 2013. The transition was immediate and devastating for his rivals. His combination of superior strength in the saddle, tactical intelligence, and an ability to extract the maximum from moderate horses made him almost impossible to beat on a consistent basis. He has won the Japan Cup, the Hong Kong Cup, and virtually every major race on the Hong Kong programme. His brief stint riding in Japan demonstrated that his skills transfer across jurisdictions; he won at the highest level there before returning to Hong Kong.

What makes Moreira exceptional is raw horsemanship. He rides with his hands and seat rather than relying on the whip, and horses respond to him in a way that borders on uncanny. Trainers with difficult or inexperienced horses seek his services because he can educate a horse during a race, teaching it to settle and find a rhythm. His strength in a finish is formidable, but it is his ability to position horses in Hong Kong's notoriously competitive fields, where the smallest mistake in running position can cost lengths, that truly sets him apart.

Moreira's 2026 targets will be led by the Hong Kong International Races in December, the crown jewel of his home circuit. He is also expected to take international mounts at the Japan Cup and potentially Royal Ascot, where Hong Kong-trained raiders have become increasingly competitive. Fans can follow in Brazil time.