Joao Moreira relishing final fling at Ascot as captain in Shergar Cup

Joao Moreira relishing final fling at Ascot as Brazilian jockey will captain the Rest of the World against Frankie Dettori’s Europe in Shergar Cup  

  • Joao Moreira is looking forward to rekindling his friendship with Frankie Dettori
  • The pair have been friends since they met at the 2005 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 
  • Dettori, 52, will retire at the Hong Kong International meeting in December 

They call Joao Moreira the Magic Man thanks to the feats he has achieved in the saddle but he has given up believing in miracles.

Moreira will captain the Rest of the World in Saturday’s Shergar Cup, the unique annual event at Ascot that brings together riders from all corners to compete in teams of three, and he is looking forward to rekindling his friendship with Frankie Dettori, who will be Europe’s skipper.

The pair have been friends since they met at the 2005 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the finishing line is in sight for both men in terms of their careers.

Dettori, 52, will retire at the Hong Kong International meeting in December and Moreira, 39, is likely to go on the same day.

The Brazilian, who forged his reputation riding in the Far East, has been battling a persistent hip problem causing increasing discomfort and this visit to Ascot will be his last. He is determined to savour every second.

Joao Moreira will captain the Rest of the World in Saturday’s Shergar Cup at Ascot

‘This is my third attempt at the Shergar Cup and, man, I love being in England,’ said Moreira, whose best chance of a winner today from five rides is on the William Haggas-trained La Yakel in the Shergar Cup Challenge.

‘Racing here is history. There are hundreds of years of tradition and, all around the world, you see this course puts on a proper show. I would love to have ridden here more down the years but I couldn’t get the contacts with trainers and owners to put me on their horses.

‘I’ve got a hip issue and there is no miracle to put it right. I’m just going to ride as long as I can and enjoy it. The last time I was here (2018), I almost won the Silver Saddle (for the jockey with the most points) but I got caught by Hayley Turner. I want to go one better.’

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