With more than 1,230 victories and four jockey championships to his name, longtime Hong Kong stalwart Joao Moreira bid farewell to Hong Kong racing Sunday during the International Races at Sha Tin.
A 39-year-old native of Brazil who has been riding in Hong Kong since 2013, Moreira has an irreversible hip injury and has been undergoing treatment. He is hoping to launch a farewell tour to compete in top races in Europe, Australia, and elsewhere before the injury ultimately forces his retirement.
“I have been suffering from left hip pain which is due to a condition called labral tear, from injury and stress,” Moreira said in statement in late September. “After consulting experts in the field, I have decided to repeat platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) treatment which I have had once before in 2020. I will be having a certain period of rest, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy after the PRP injection.”
Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Executive Director Racing Andrew Harding presented a silver dish and a souvenir to Moreira in the parade ring of the Sha Tin before Sunday's first race in recognition of his incredible achievement in Hong Kong. Moreira has set a slew of records, including the most wins in a season with 170 and most wins at a single Hong Kong meeting of eight wins set March 5, 2017.
“Hong Kong has contributed to my life so positively, but I'm dealing with some physical and personal problems,” Moreira told racenet.com. “Unfortunately, some changes had to be made and that includes me not being based in Hong Kong anymore.
“I took this opportunity to set up a farewell and express a little bit of love not only to those people who helped me out, but also to the club, the public, and everyone else who has contributed to my success in Hong Kong.”
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