You are listening to an article from Canadian Thoroughbred.com. Top apprentice Moran looks forward to 2025 Woodbine season By: Jennifer Morrison | .
One of the most electrifying characters of the 2024 Woodbine season, PIETRO MORANHe is only 19 years venerable, but he is a real horse racing student. The articulate and polite teenage man was probably on his way to a Sovereign Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in Canada this year, winning 55 races at Woodbine and seven more at Fort Erie.
Moran currently sits sixth in the Woodbine Drivers' Championship in wins, despite not racing since September 10. That was the day of the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, and he had just ridden Passioned to fourth place in the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. But in the very next race, his mount Mister Meseeks fell off, crashing to the ground and throwing his teenage rider into the dirt.
It was a frightening incident, as all racing accidents are, and Moran suffered a broken bone in his back, a broken rib and cuts to his arm. The son of experienced rider David Moran and former jockey Maria underwent surgery and was in hospital for a week.
Two months later, Moran has recovered well – the rib and cuts have healed and the repaired T8 vertebrae are progressing well. Now he just needs to curb his desire to get back in the saddle.
“I’m doing really well,” said Moran, one of eight Moran children. “At first I could hardly imagine not being able to drive until spring. But it’s a long process for the bone to heal properly, but I’m taking it slowly.”
Thanks to the pretty weather in southern Ontario, Moran was able to run for a total of up to three hours a day while listening to horse racing podcasts. “I love getting as much information about the sport as possible.”
On Saturday at Woodbine, one of the most significant horses of Moran's teenage career, Fashionably Fab, his first stakes winner, will compete in the Maple Leaf Stakes (G3) and he hopes to be there to cheer her on.
Given his heritage, it's no surprise that Pietro wanted to be a rider from a teenage age – although most of his siblings aren't quite as enthusiastic. Born in Ireland, Moran came to Canada with his family at the age of six and was quickly taken under the wing of his experienced father.
The enthusiasm was great long before he competed in his first race in September 2023. He won in his 11th race and then stopped driving after 20 races to prepare for 2024.
After just a month of promotion this year, Moran guided Terra Racing's Fashionably Fab to victory in the Belle Mahone Stakes (G3). Coach Kevin Attard was a large supporter of Moran and gave the teenage man his first chance to play.
The victories came quickly and fiercely before the unfortunate accident occurred.
“It was even better than I thought. Being able to run in the Plate and Prince of Wales and get that first stakes win so quickly. It was one of the best feelings.”
When Fashionably Fab was entered for the Ontario Matron Stakes (G3) just days after the accident at Woodbine, the Romeo family of Attard and Terra Racing agreed that David Moran should ride their filly. He won and dedicated the victory to his injured son.
Moran attends Guelph-Humber College near Woodbine, studying kinesiology and following racing results.
“[Kinesiology] is a lot of work, but it's really engaging. And it is a subject that corresponds to being an athlete.”
Moran hopes to personally thank all of his supporters for his riding opportunities and for looking after him and his family since the accident. “I can’t wait to come back and thank everyone. And I can’t wait to get back to riding and try to do my best.”
