Woodbine jockey Pietro Moran looking to build upon his stellar 2025 campaign

The challenge Pietro Moran now faces is trying to match or exceed his ’25 campaign as a journeyman. Apprentice jockeys get an allowance that reduces the total weight their horses carry.

“You obviously want to do better every year,” Moran said. “Last year was tremendous. I can’t put into words how fortunate I was.

“This year, you just want to keep winning more races and hopefully win some bigger stakes races. I just want to be part of the big races and the big days and hopefully win a few.”

Moran’s father will be among the Woodbine jockeys who’ll be gunning for him this year. And although the junior Moran has family bragging rights, that means little.

“Oh yeah, we’re very competitive with each other,” Pietro Moran said with a chuckle. “What matters most is the next race we’re riding against each other.

“Everything that happened before really doesn’t matter.”

In January, Pietro Moran earned the Eclipse Award as North America’s top apprentice jockey. He’s the overwhelming favourite to receive the Sovereign Award on April 23 as Canada’s outstanding apprentice.

“The Eclipse Award was huge, that’s the biggest stage in North America,” Moran said. “It definitely helped being in the U.S. this winter because everyone kind of knew who I was after that.

“The Sovereign is special because it’s what many Canadians look for every year. I got to ride some amazing horses for many talented horsemen — trainers, owners, breeders — and I’m very grateful for that opportunity.”

Moran hasn’t rested on his laurels. This winter, he rode at Turfway Park (Kentucky), Laurel Park (Maryland), Gulfstream Park (Florida), Oaklawn Park (Arkansas) and Keeneland (Lexington, Ky).

Moran currently has 25 money finishes (11 wins, 10 seconds, four thirds) over 74 mounts for US$552,138 in purse earnings. More importantly, he has broadened his network in the U.S.

“I’ve been able to meet so many great trainers, owners, jockeys and horse people,” Moran said. “Just to get my name out there and show my face.

“But obviously, Woodbine is home … I’m thrilled to come back and make a mark this year without my apprenticeship. I’m hoping to be up near the top again and can’t wait to get the year going.”

The Canadian Triple Crown begins Aug. 15 with the King’s Plate at Woodbine. The second jewel, the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, is slated for Sept. 7 at Fort Erie Racetrack with the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes — a 1 1/2-mile turf race — going Sept. 27 at Woodbine.

Wando remains the last horse to sweep all three Canadian races, doing so in 2003.

Moran had Mansetti positioned to win the 2025 Prince of Wales and make a Triple Crown run. But Runaway Again, ridden by Ryan Munger, overtook Mansetti just before the wire for the half-length decision.

Hernandez returns to defend his rider’s title while Mark Casse and Canadian Kevin Attard are expected to again battle for top trainer honours. Casse led in wins (97) and purse earnings (over $5.7 million) to claim a 17th conditioners’ title last year, but Attard registered his third career Plate victory with Mansetti.

Veteran Roger Attfield won’t chase a record ninth Plate win. Last month, the 86-year-old Attfield — eight times Canada’s top trainer — retired as a conditioner but remains in horse racing as an owner.

Attfield, a Canadian and U.S. Hall of Famer, is tied with Harry Giddings Jr. for most career Plate victories by a trainer. But Attfield has conditioned three Canadian Triple Crown champions (With Approval in 1989, Izvestia in 1990 and Peteski in 1993).

Moran believes more experience — and success — have certainly made him a much better jockey. Although his sights are firmly fixed on what’s ahead, Moran isn’t forgetting about his ’25 accomplishments.

“I’m always looking forward … but you can never forget what happened last year,” he said. “It was huge for me, it boosted my career, and you can’t stop being grateful for that.

“No one puts more pressure on me to do better and be my best than I do, so it doesn’t matter if I impress anyone else. If I can’t impress myself, then that’s the biggest problem.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Woodbine jockey Pietro Moran looking to build upon his stellar 2025 campaign

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