Moreira closes in on another milestone

Darryl Sherer - Sunday September 17

Joao Moreira is one short of another milestone after riding five winners at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Advertisement
Joao Moreira. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Wins aboard Diamond Friends, Gran Master, Diamond Mysterious, Premiere and Top Beautiful takes Moreira to 599 wins in Hong Kong.

Top Beautiful started the shortest priced favourite of the day and took all of Moreira's skill to get there in the last stride of the Class Three handicap over the straight 1000m.

Moreira told the South China Morning Post he feels the Chris So-trained Top Beautiful, a four-year-old son of Nicconi, can improve over further.

"As soon as I got off the horse today I said to Chris that he'll be thinking about stepping this horse up in distance very soon and I would say don't hesitate," Moreira said.

"I was not worried about him going up to Class Three because we have a big opinion of him. But it was only his second race, he was meeting some much more experienced horses and specialists over the straight 1,000m.

"I think I rode one of Chris' best horses today and although he isn't there yet, in the future this could be one of the highest-rated horses he has trained."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Hot Lots Day 2 - Magic Millions
With the opening day of selling at Magic Millions finished for the day, Frankel (GB) hit the heights, topping the sale with a $2m colt, while I Am Invincible took top honours on averages, 3 or more sold.
$700,000 Home Affairs Filly for Dance Music
The second crop of yearlings by Home Affairs were always going to be in demand at Magic Millions off the back of his encouraging early winners and he made a splash on Tuesday during the first session with a filly from Dance Music fetching $700,000.
Flying Start for Jacquinot
Buyers warmed quickly to the first yearlings by Widden Stud’s dual Group I winner Jacquinot offered on Tuesday during the first session of Magic Millions with five selling at an average $312,000.
Stallion Syndicate Purchase $725,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Too Darn Hot (GB) covered the best book of mares in the country last spring and his only yearling to be offered in the opening session of Magic Millions on Tuesday was duly snapped up by China Horse Club/Newgate & Partners for $725,000.
Likely Autumn Superstars Set to Trial on Thursday
Autumn Glow, Sir Delius, Via Sistina, Lady Shenandoah and Apocalyptic and more - Punters and racing fans can see a suite of Australia’s best horses live in action at Royal Randwick on Thursday as campaigns begin for many of the looming Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival’s biggest feature races.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday January 13
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$2Million Frankel Colt Highlights a Solid Start for MM 2026
A colt by champion international sire Frankel topped Day One of the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Tuesday when selling for $2 million
$1.2million Extreme Choice Colt Sold by The Chase
The second million dollar colt on the opening day of Magic Millions came late on Tuesday when the Extreme Choice colt from former brilliant I Am Invincible filly Dame Giselle sold for $1.2million.
Torryburn Stud Sell $825,000 Zoustar Colt
Widden Stud’s reigning champion sire Zoustar had just one colt sell on the opening day of Magic Millions on Tuesday with Torryburn Stud well rewarded for the first living foal of Centimental that sold for $825,000.
Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Announced for 2026
The Awards formerly known as the Stud and Stable Staff Awards will enter a new chapter in 2026, with a refreshed name, the Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ATIEA), and an expanded industry partnership to further strengthen the recognition and celebration of the people who underpin Australia's world-class racing and breeding sector.