Globetrotting jockey Joao Moreira will make his G1 Kentucky Derby debut next month after he was booked to ride Japanese raider Luxor Cafe in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 3.
Moreira, whose rise from humble beginnings in Brazil to the heights of international racing has made him one of the world’s most famous jockeys, rode the Noriyuki Hori-trained Luxor Cafe to a big victory in the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama last time out.
The 41-year-old says that the opportunity to ride in the Kentucky Derby was something he never could have imagined when he began his career in rural Brazil and then during long-term stints in Singapore and Hong Kong.
“I have never had the Kentucky Derby on my wish list because I just thought it would be too difficult to get an opportunity while based in Asia,” Moreira told Idol Horse. “The Kentucky Derby is one of the most famous races in North America, of course, but also in South America: there are big races in Europe, Australia and Asia, but when you go to South America, this is the race that is the most famous in the world.”
He is one of three jockeys who had won on Luxor Cafe in Japan along with Australian-based rider Rachel King, who landed the Kuruchiku Sho and the Hyacinth Stakes on the colt, and Ryan Moore, who rode him to a narrow maiden win over UAE Derby victor Admire Daytona in November.
Luxor Cafe is rated as a general third favourite for the Kentucky Derby in international markets behind G1 Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism, who will be ridden by Moreira’s former Sha Tin rival Umberto Rispoli.
A son of American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2015, Luxor Cafe is a brother to Cafe Pharoah, a two-time G1 February Stakes winner who was third to Panthalassa in the G1 Saudi Cup in 2023.
“He certainly feels like he has a big chance,” Moreira said. “The way he won in Japan was very impressive and I didn’t fully use him, so he goes there with plenty left in the tank and that’s great. He has a great temperament, he is a good type physically and the distance won’t be a problem.
“Mr Hori is such a great trainer. He is just so detailed and committed to what he does, he deserves this opportunity.”
Moreira rode in the United States in 2013, winning at two of his 17 starts including a maiden on the Churchill Downs turf. He rode the Wesley Ward-trained Judy The Beauty into second in the G3 Winning Colors Stakes on the Churchill Downs dirt before partnering her again when she was second in the G1 Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder.
Prior to heading to Louisville, Moreira will ride Museum Mile in this weekend’s G1 Satsuki Sho at Nakayama, before flying in to Hong Kong for their Champions Day fixture on April 27 to partner Satono Reve in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, Chancheng Glory in the G1 Champions Mile and Moments In Time in the G1 QEII Cup. ∎
