Have-saddle-will-travel jockey Joao Moreira is waiting on visa clearance before he can add a 14th country to his passport this weekend – the United States of America.

The three-time Singapore champion jockey and current tearaway leader was approached last week by US trainer Wesley Ward to ride some of his horses at Churchill Downs, Kentucky, this weekend. A former jockey who rode in Bukit Timah and Malaysia in the 80s, Ward actually wanted Moreira to be in as early as this Thursday, but have all but abandoned that idea after the visa had not been obtained on time.

Moreira, who, before he came to Singapore in 2009, had only his native Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, France and Dubai on his overseas resume, has since been on a whirlwind world tour. Usually invited for hit-and-run missions or jockeys’ challenges, Moreira has ridden in eight countries in the last four years he has been based at Kranji, namely Singapore, Australia, Sweden, Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, Macau and Malaysia.

American connection: Joao Moreira’s record-breaking ride on Luckyatsuccess in November 2010 
may see him ride for a US trainer who prepares a horse for the winning owner in the US three years on.

After originally thinking he would miss this Friday’s meeting at Kranji, Moreira will most likely answer the roll call at that public holiday (Vesak Day) raceday, but is still hoping he will get the all-clear on time to ride at Churchill Downs’ double-header meeting on Sunday and Monday.

“An owner with Michael Clements, Don Herrick, has horses with Wesley Ward and that’s how this US trip came about,” said Moreira who will then serve a deferred three-day ban (for causing interference aboard Super Easy in the KrisFlyer last Sunday) from May 29.

“I was supposed to ride there on Thursday and I think, even in Chicago on Friday, but I haven’t got a visa yet. Wesley has a mare called Judy The Beauty who is racing in a Group 3 race on Monday and I’m hoping I can make it for that ride.

“I understand Judy The Beauty’s regular jockey Joel Rosario is committed to ride in New York and that’s how they thought of giving the ride to me instead.”

On the Churchill Downs entries for May 16, Ward has named Moreira to ride a two-year-old filly named She’s Coal Fired in the third race. While entries for the May 27 meeting are not out yet, Ward has already booked Moreira to ride Judy The Beauty in the US$100,000 Grade 3 Winning Colors (1200m).

“I will be riding other horses for Wesley as well,” said Moreira. “I’ve never ridden in the US and it would be great if I can make it.

“I should know by tomorrow if the visa is approved. They told me even if I can’t make it this time, they will call me up for another ride in the near future.”

A well-respected trainer with over 20 years of experience, Ward is famous for becoming the first US-based conditioner to win at the Royal Ascot meeting in 2009, landing the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes with Jealous Again and the Windsor Castle Stakes with Strike The Tiger.

“Wesley has always followed Singapore racing and Joao’s career and success in particular,” said Clements.

“He’s never been to Kranji, but he’s seen Joao on TV and was very impressed. When his regular jockey became unavailable for Monday’s race, he thought Joao could be an excellent replacement.

“Unfortunately, he won’t be riding Don’s horse, as I know he ran last week.”

Moreira has been successful aboard some of Herrick’s horses, and even reached a personal milestone with one of them, Luckyatsuccess on November 12, 2010 when he broke Noel Callow’s record of 106 wins.