Joao 'Magic Man' Moreira, Rest of the World team captain for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot on Aug. 12, is looking forward to the challenge, as he delays his retirement for now.
“I was struggling with hip injuries at the end of last year, which I am not over yet but there is no doubt that I am a lot better than I was,” said the four-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey. “I was thinking about quitting riding but, once I started getting better, I felt I could push on for a bit longer. I feel like I can do at least another 18 months if things stay as they are, but the doctors do say that it is not going to get any better.
“I have been riding in Brazil and travelling a bit. I went to Japan earlier this year for a couple of weeks, then Saudi Arabia and also Dubai, before a short stint in Australia. I went back to Brazil, where I had some really nice rides in big races that I have never won before. Career-wise, I have been doing all right, and being able to be around my family and relatives has made my life easier.
“It is very unlikely that I will go back to Hong Kong. I will be doing stints in different places. I really want to go back to Australia. Then you have Dubai and Japan, which I think is one of the best places to ride in the world.”
Of the Shergar Cup, Moreira said, “It has been five years since I was last at Ascot–it feels like time has flown. It is nice to be back, it is such a beautiful place, the racecourse itself is amazing, and not least the riders I will be riding with–they are the best of the best.
“Being invited to the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup makes you feel proud of yourself. You are riding against some of the best jockeys in the world. For me, Frankie [Dettori] is the best jockey in the history of the sport.
“I think my greatest achievement is riding eight winners on a card in three different countries. I would be very proud of winning just once on Saturday! It is so difficult to win and you need so much luck.”
Moreira will be riding against GB & Ireland captain Luke Morris among others, who is making his first appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.
The rider of last year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) said, “The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is something that I have grown up watching. When I was asked to participate, I was hugely grateful. It looks a great, fun day with a real buzz about the place, and fingers crossed I get a good draw of rides.”
For more information on the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, please click here.
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