Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz hasn’t taken long to get off the mark in New Zealand, posting his first victory aboard the Kevin and Stephen Gray-trained Tycoon Boss (Street Boss) at Trentham last Saturday.
The 23-year-old hoop has a wealth of international experience, commencing his riding career in his homeland five years ago where he recorded his first Group One win just 12 months later aboard Dynamic Spirit (Agnes Gold).
The son of jockey Antonio Queiroz, Bruno Queiroz was always destined for a career in the saddle and collected a pair of Rio de Janeiro champion jockey titles before he decided to ply his trade further afield at the behest of his godfather, internationally renowned hoop Joao Moreira.
After discussions with Moreira, Queiroz decided upon Singapore as his first port of call and began riding there in 2023 until it ceased racing in October last year, securing the jockeys’ premiership in Singapore’s final season.
“I rode in Singapore for one-and-a-half years,” Queiroz said. “It was very good, I had a nice experience there.”
While his Singapore stint was cut short, Queiroz was intent on furthering his international experience, and once again called on the advice of Moreira, who contacted former Singapore trainer Stephen Gray, who is now training in partnership with his father Kevin in Manawatu.
“He’s (Queiroz) a huge talent,” Gray said. “He’s Joao Moreira’s godson, and Joao and I have been good friends since his days riding in Singapore. Joao wanted to get Bruno to Singapore for some international experience and asked me to help him get started.
“After being unable to speak a word of English when he arrived, his progress was incredible – to the point where he rode four winners on the very last day of racing in Singapore, clinching the premiership.
“He’s only 23 and has ridden over 1100 winners already. He’s a huge talent, young, light and a very humble, nice and hard-working person.
“Joao wants him to learn his trade a bit more over here in New Zealand with us. It’ll give him a great grounding for his future career.
“If he settles in well here and gets going, especially in the spring, I think he could do very well.
“His record is incredible. I expect him to be a real asset to New Zealand racing, and he could well prove to be as good as any rider in the country.”
Queiroz was quick to reward the Grays, placing in his first ride in the country aboard Albarossa in the second event at Trentham on Saturday before guiding stablemate Tycoon Boss to a comfortable 4-1/4 length victory in the Doctor Askar 1000.
“The horse was very well, I was very confident and he won nicely. I am very happy and this is an amazing opportunity,” Queiroz said. “Thanks so much to Stephen Gray.”
Queiroz had only arrived in New Zealand a week prior, and he said he is enjoying his time in the country. “I arrived one week ago, and I am based in Palmerston North with Stephen Gray,” he said. “It’s good, I am happy here.”