Woodbine’s rising star, Pietro Moran, has been named the 2025 Outstanding Apprentice Jockey at Thursday night’s Eclipse Awards, held at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. The accolade crowns a remarkable trajectory for the young Canadian rider, whose talent and perseverance have already made him a standout figure in North American racing.
Moran, whose racing roots trace back to a family steeped in the sport, began his career at Woodbine in September 2023. Following in the footsteps of his father, jockey David Moran, and mother Maria, both former professional riders, Pietro quickly demonstrated a natural affinity for the saddle. The second-oldest of nine children, he secured his first career win on just his 11th mount, guiding the filly Trizzel Trazzel to victory.
The young jockey’s rise continued swiftly. In June 2024, he captured his first stakes win in the Grade 3 Belle Mahone Stakes aboard Fashionably Fab for trainer Kevin Attard. By the close of that summer, Moran had notched 59 wins and $2.2 million in earnings, already establishing himself among Woodbine’s elite.
A serious back injury at Fort Erie Race Track in September 2024 briefly interrupted his momentum, requiring months of intensive rehabilitation. Yet Moran returned to Woodbine for the 2025 season with renewed determination. By June 7, just 22 days into the meet, he had already surpassed $1 million in seasonal earnings.
The highlight of Moran’s year came with a landmark victory in the $1 million King’s Plate, aboard Attard-trained Mansetti. In a memorable twist, his father David Moran was also in the starting gate, marking a rare and poignant father-son moment on Canada’s most prestigious racing stage.
Moran concluded Woodbine’s 2025 season with 139 wins, including multiple graded stakes, and earnings of $5,933,164, bringing his career total to $8,431,902. The fifth Canadian to win the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, he joins illustrious predecessors such as Mickey Walls, Neil Poznansky, Emma-Jayne Wilson, Omar Moreno, and Kazushi Kimura, who also developed his career at Woodbine.
“We at Woodbine proudly congratulate Pietro in receiving this honour,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of 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’s 2025 season stands as a testament to talent, resilience, and the enduring legacy of a family devoted to horse racing. With such a meteoric start, his career promises to captivate fans for years to come.
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