De Sousa back in the big time
Jockey lands Flat opener after his 10-month ban for betting offence
SILVESTRE DE SOUSA secured the kick-start he needed to resurrect his British riding career with victory on Charyn in the opening race of the British Flat season at Doncaster.
The three-and-a-half-length win thrust the three-time champion jockey back in the spotlight. He is seeking to re-establish himself after a 10-month suspension imposed by Hong Kong authorities for breaching their betting rules. Charyn, trained by Roger Varian, was the 2-1 favourite.
On an afternoon which reaped rewards for jockeys in new jobs for the 2024 season, David Egan produced a 33-1 win in the feature William Hill Lincoln Handicap on Mr Professor for his new owner bosses, Amo Racing.
Rhys Clutterbuck further justified his new position as stable jockey to Newmarket trainer Dylan Cunha with victory in the Brocklesby Stakes, the first two-year-old race of the season, on 16-1 shot Zminiature.
After spending the majority of last season sidelined with ankle and knees injuries, there was also success for Cieran Fallon, who will operate as a freelance this season, on William Haggas-trained Montassib in the Cammidge Trophy.
But it was De Sousa’s success which had the most significance. Much water has passed under the bridge since the Brazilian won the jockeys’ championship in 2015, 2017 and 2018. He has had jobs riding for Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin operation and was retained as a jockey by the King Power racing empire of Leicester City football club’s owners. Dwindling opportunities prompted a move to the Far East, which started well but ended sourly last May when the Hong Kong Jockey Club sanctioned De Sousa for ‘facilitating’ the placing of a bet by fellow Brazilian rider, Vagner Borges.
De Sousa made a winning return to Britain on the all-weather at Newcastle on March 13 while the eyes of the racing world was on the Cheltenham Festival.
He has been working hard to re-connect with trainers and his win on Charyn was a fifth since his British return during which he has ridden for 16 different trainers in less than a fortnight. De Sousa said: ‘It is nice to get a winner especially on the first day of the season. I have been riding out, mucking out, everything. I have been riding out for Roger and I’m glad he has given me the opportunity.
‘I rode plenty of winners in Hong Kong but things happen out there and they are very restrictive about who you are talking to.
‘I love being back and I love British racing. I’m up for a new challenge. The support I’m getting has pleased me. I hope and believe people haven’t lost faith in me. I just need opportunities.’
That might come on Charyn, who failed to win last season when highly tried, including runs in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas. Varian believes the grey has strengthened up over the close season and he is hoping big mile races will again be in his agenda. Meanwhile, Egan’s success on Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained Mr Professor was a confidence booster as he tries to settle into the hot seat as No1 jockey to Amo Racing, the operation run by football agent Kia Joorabchian.
His two predecessors did not last the course, Rossa Ryan walking away from the role and Kevin Stott involved in an acrimonious split.