Joao Moreira failed to secure full-time jockey licence in Japan
Joao Moreira has been denied the chance to ride full-time in Japan after the champion jockey failed to meet the satisfaction of the Japan Racing Association in a written exam.
Moreira, who was hoping to secure a full-time licence in Japan, was required to complete a written exam detailing the rules, statistics and the history of Japanese racing.
In order for a foreign jockey to ride full-time in Japan the JRA requires applicants to first pass the written exam (in English), before being given the opportunity to sit a verbal test.
The Brazilian-born jockey reportedly sat and failed the written component on October 2, leaving his future riding up in the air.
Moreira, who still has six weeks to run on his current contract, is now unable to reapply for a full-time licence in Japan for at least a year.
The 35-year-old may now seek a return to Hong Kong where he three consecutive jockeys’ championships between 2014 and 2017.
