TORONTO, January 23, 2026— Woodbine-based Pietro Moran has been named the 2025 Outstanding Apprentice Jockey at the Eclipse Awards Thursday evening at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. Moran began his racing career at Woodbine in September 2023, following in the footsteps of his father, jockey David Moran. David and wife Maria, who also professionally rode, moved to Canada from Ireland when Pietro was six years old. Pietro is the second oldest of David and Maria’s nine children. He recorded his first career victory on his 11th mount, guiding the filly Trizzel Trazzel to the winner’s circle. Moran’s first stakes triumph followed in June 2024, when he captured the Grade 3 Belle Mahone Stakes aboard Fashionably Fab, trained by Kevin Attard. By the end of the summer of 2024, Moran was already climbing to the top ranks of the Woodbine colony with 59 career wins and $2.2 million (USD) in earnings. Moran’s 2024 season was unfortunately cut short when an accident at Fort Erie Race Track in September left him with a serious injury to his back. Months of tough recovery and rehab allowed Moran to return to racing at the beginning of Woodbine’s 2025 season. By June 7, just 22 days into the meet, Moran had already reached $1 million (USD) in earnings for the season. With all eyes on him, Moran then reached the pinnacle of Canadian racing by winning the $1 million King’s Plate. Moran captured the prestigious win aboard Attard-trained Mansetti. His father David Moran was also in the race, lining up beside his son in the starting gate. Mansetti and jockey Pietro Moran winning the King’s Plate on August 16, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Moran finished Woodbine’s 2025 meet second in the jockey standings with 139 wins, including multiple graded stakes and earnings of $5,933,164 (USD). His career earnings are currently $8,431,902 (USD). “We at Woodbine proudly congratulate Pietro in receiving this honour,” said Michael Copeland, CEO Woodbine Entertainment. “Pietro is an incredibly skilled young rider, and it is our sincere pleasure that he has shared his talent with us here at Woodbine. We look forward to watching his career continue to prosper.” Pietro Moran is the fifth Canadian jockey to win the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, joining the ranks of Mickey Walls (1991), Neil Poznansky (1996), Emma-Jayne Wilson (2005), and Omar Moreno (2010). Japanese-born Kazushi Kimura was also based at Woodbine when he won the title in 2019. -30- Share This:Share
