MOREIRA A BRIT KEEN

JOAO MOREIRA says he’d love to ride in Britain – if the right offer came up.

The Brazilian – known to millions of punters as ‘the Magic Man’ – is set to take up a lucrative contract in Japan after five seasons riding in Hong Kong.

But the 34-year-old, one of the world’s most sought-after jockeys, claims he’d welcome a move to Britain one day.

“I would come at any time if there was a great opportunity,” said Moreira, riding in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot yesterday. “I have my goals now – I’m happy to be taking this chance in Japan and I have to stick with my goals – but what is going to happen in the future, I just don’t know.

“Being over here, it is special. I’ve been a few times and I want to come back again.

“The right opportunity has never come. We have to sit and wait patiently.”

Moreira (above), whose countryman Silvestre de Sousa has won two jockeys’ titles in Britain, added: “I’ve known him for a long time. When I started off he was an apprentice at the jockeys’ academy in Sao Paulo. “I’ve seen him doing well — he’s a good bloke, he makes Brazil proud.”

Moreira rode a double, courtesy of Berkshire Blue (Shergar Cup Classic) and Green Power (Shergar Cup Sprint), at the international jockeys’ challenge, won by The Girls team of Hayley Turner, Josephine Gordon and Hollie Doyle. GERAINT THOMAS hopes to build on his Tour de France victory by riding in next month’s Tour of Britain.

Team Sky superstar said: “I’d like to race in the UK as a way of thanking everyone for their support.”