Michael BurnsJockey David Moran celebrates his win aboard Roan Inish in the 2010 Woodbine Oaks.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The already deep Woodbine jockey colony has gained an interesting new member in David Moran, who arrived from Ireland on Wednesday evening.

Moran can hardly be called a stranger to Woodbine, however, as the 28-year-old Irishman has ridden here six times, all in stakes races, for trainer Carolyn Costigan.

And those overseas trips have yielded wins with Roan Inish in the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth and $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, plus a third-place finish in the $1 million Queen’s Plate.

“Last year, after the Oaks and the Queen’s Plate, I started considering moving here,” said Moran, who is married with five children ranging in age from 7 months to 7 years.

“During the winter, I started working on getting a visa, and it came through two weeks ago.

“It’s a chance to ride some good winners and make a name for myself. I’ve got some good people behind me.”

Moran began his career in 1999 with trainer Frank Ennis but then changed stables and became an apprentice rider for Jim Bolger in 2001.

Moran continued in that role until spring 2009, when he won out his three-pound allowance and became a full-fledged jockey.

“I’ve had some nice winners,” Moran said. “I had some group winners and won some big handicaps.”

Meanwhile, his association with Bolger led to his acquaintance with Costigan, who had worked as an assistant trainer there before striking out on her own in Canada.

Moran, who can tack 113 pounds, has hooked up with veteran agent John Bell, who was left riderless when Chantal Sutherland elected to stay and race full-time in California this year.

“We’ve got a lot of feelers out, and we’re getting a lot of good vibes,” Bell said. “Once we get organized, and sorted out, things will pick up.”