Jockey De Sousa’s 10-month ban for betting

three-time British champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa was yesterday suspended for 10 months by the hong Kong Jockey Club after pleading guilty to a betting charge.

the Brazilian rider, and his countryman Victor Borges, who was banned for a year, were found in breach of a rule which says that ‘no jockey shall bet, or facilitate the making of a bet, or have any interest in a bet, on any race or any contingency relating to a race meeting’. According to an HKJC statement, De Sousa, 42, facilitated Borges being able to bet on his mount Young Brilliant, who finished seventh in a handicap at happy Valley on April 26.

the statement added ‘there was no evidence before the stewards that jockeys Borges and De Sousa had ridden their horses in the respective race with any intention other than to obtain the best possible placing for their mounts’. De Sousa’s 10-month ban will run until march 12 next year, while Borges will be suspended until may 12, 2024. it is unknown whether either rider intends to appeal the length of the suspensions, but given the duo admitted their guilt, an appeal seems unlikely. integrity among jockeys is taken very seriously in hong Kong with severe punishments administered for transgressions.

De Sousa (left), British flat racing champion jockey in 2015, 2017 and 2018, moved to hong Kong at the end of last year to regenerate his career following the conclusion of his position as retained rider for the King Power racing operation in November 2021. Since relocating to hong Kong, the Brazilian rider has ridden 45 winners to sit fifth in the HK j ockeys’ championship.

■ THE King will hope Circle Of Fire advances his claims for a place in the Betfred Derby next month when he tackles today’s Fitzdares Lingfield Derby trial.

Sir michael Stoute’s colt, second at Newmarket last time, is 50-1 for the epsom Classic.