Father-Son Jockeys Unite for $1-Million King’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack

The upcoming $1-million King’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack will hold a special significance for the Moran family, as both David and Pietro Moran will participate in this prestigious race. They will be riding alongside each other, with Pietro set to begin from the first post position on his horse, Mansetti, while David will be starting in the second slot on William T, marking a unique moment as father and son compete in an event of such high caliber.

Pietro, who will be participating in his second King’s Plate after his fourth-place finish the previous year, expressed his excitement about racing with his father in such a renowned event. David, who secured second place in the 2021 Plate, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the rarity and special nature of competing against one another in Canada’s premier horse racing event.

The 2025 racing season has been a strong one for Pietro, who, at just 20 years old, has emerged as Woodbine’s leading jockey with 61 wins. The opportunity to add a King’s Plate victory to his record is something he described as surreal, as this race is one that every athlete in the sport looks forward to each year.

Though they will be racing against each other, David Moran anticipated a focused approach on race day, emphasizing that both would want to win but still support one another. The competition will be fierce, with No Time being the early favorite at 7-2 odds, and several other contenders, including Notorious Gangster and Tom’s Magic, also in the mix.

Pietro and his horse, Mansetti, have demonstrated strong form recently, coming off a victory in the $150,000 Grade 3 Marine Stakes. Trainer Kevin Attard praised Pietro’s maturity and growing confidence, attributing it to his experience in riding high-stakes races. Despite starting from the rail position, Pietro feels optimistic about navigating the pack effectively.

William T, David's mount, has been competitive in his three starts this season and is also coming off a win. No Time, the Woodbine Oaks champion, is a strong contender looking to add to trainer Mark Casse’s impressive record in the race. Alongside Casse’s other runner, Ashley's Archer, the competition for this year’s Plate appears intense.

Attard will have three horses in the race, including Mansetti, while noting that an alternate jockey would ride for Faber, on which David Moran is also listed to ride. As the King’s Plate approaches, both Moran jockeys are eagerly preparing for what promises to be an unforgettable day of racing.