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Just saw this article on the RP about Silvestre moving to Hong Kong – https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/you-need-a-stable-and-i-dont-have-one-de-sousa-leaving-for-hong-kong/571570
Very strange career this man has had, I remember when I was betting daily about 5 years ago SDS was the best jockey around on a daily basis, would regularly win races at the smaller tracks just by sheer will, can’t tell you the number of times I’d cursed the laptop screen at my SDS 4/1 shot getting beat by the evens fav, only for SDS to drive his horse home to get up in the final half furlong, he seemed to do it all the time.
What happened afterwards? Why the decline? Or was he neve that good in the first place and was simply making a mountain out of a molehill with those rides 5 or so years ago?
Even when Champion jockey for some reason SDS never got that many good rides in the top races. Did well with the outsiders he was on though. More than any other jockey seemed to be in the best position. Whether that’s coming from off the pace in a strongly run race or prominent in a slowly run affair. I’ll always remember him riding rivals to sleep on my biggest priced individual winner (179/1) Arabian Queen in the 2015 International. Certainly was one of if not the best around at that stage. Thankfully for me (although may be not for him) Under-estimated by bookmaker and the vast majority of punters too. Backing him blind from 2006 to 2015 would’ve shown a level stakes profit in 5 of those 10 years. Which is highly unusual for a top jockey, let alone a Champion Jockey.
But hasn’t shown up so well since. Difficult to judge just how good he is nowadays getting so few rides. When a jockey goes through a lean spell they can lose their confidence and struggle to get it back. The kingpower job didn’t go that well and afterwards didn’t get many rides from prolific winning trainers. If I remember rightly Mick Channon gave him quite a few rides. But Mick – good trainer though he is – is an optimist and over-tries his horses… Which means long losing runs. Not good for a jockey struggling for confidence.
Can understand SDS wanting a new challenge and best of luck to the man..
Value Is EverythingI thought he gave Fahrr a very good ride in the Champion Stakes.
Godolphin were obviously not that impressed because he eventually got the push in favour of Buick and Doyle.
For some reason, De Sousa’s face did not seem to fit with the leading trainers. I am not sure why. Maybe we do not know the whole story.
It did seem rather sad one year when he was Champion Jockey but had no rides on Champions Day and rode at Catterick instead.
I always thought his name against a horse I liked was an asset.
I do not blame him for trying his luck elsewhere. I hope it works out well for him.
I’ve always been an admirer but his riding at Ascot in recent times has been poor, I wouldn’t back anything he’s on there. Other than that I’d be quite happy to see him booked for one I like.
I’m a big fan of the HK racing, I’d encourage anyone to give it a try as the Racing post provide pretty much all the form you need and in running comments etc.
Judging from the current state of British racing would have thought a move to Hong Kong is an upgrade rather than a downgrade for SDS. Ask Neil Callan. Prize money and quality of life, it’s a no brainer.
Good on him; it’s a great decision. Not going here, there, and everywhere like in the UK – instead I think it’s 2 meetings a week – and extremely good prize money.
Prize money in the UK which was described as ‘dire’ by Kieran McEvoy today in an ITV interview.
As I have said before, I am fortunate enough to have been to Hong Kong and went to a meeting at Happy Valley, it’s absolutely superb. The atmosphere there on a routine Wednesday night is matched only at the big festivals here. Good luck to him.
“Judging from the current state of British racing would have thought a move to Hong Kong is an upgrade rather than a downgrade for SDS.”
Never a more true word spoken:
SDS in Britain in 2022:
Rides: 350
Prize Money: £718,000
Money per ride: just over £2,000SDS since moving to Hong Kong:
Rides: 326
Prize Money: £6,230,000
Money per ride: £19,100I wonder why he decided to leave?
Wow Cork those figures are very telling! I’m surprised he didn’t move over there sooner now, I certainly would have in his position!
In terms of money, he gained more than in UK but interestingly he just found himself in trouble in stewards’ room.
Last Sunday, he got himself banned for 3 HK racedays and fined HKD$60k. It is 7th (!!) time he got suspension. Today, he lodged appeal on this suspension (https://racingnews.hkjc.com/english/2023/03/21/appeal-jockey-s-de-sousa/).
I believe his main problem is that he cannot keep his mounts running straight. Also, there were some misjudged rides from him. One example is Sixth Generation. SDS won on him in Feb with a nice run (replay in https://racing.hkjc.com/racing/information/English/Racing/LocalResults.aspx?RaceDate=2023/02/05&Racecourse=ST&RaceNo=4) but next time out, SDS changed tactics and ran too fast in early stage (replay in https://racing.hkjc.com/racing/information/English/Racing/LocalResults.aspx?RaceDate=2023/03/01&Racecourse=HV&RaceNo=2). Sixth Generation will run again on Wed (Race 6) but SDS obviously lost the ride.
He still needs some improvement.
According to some reports, SDS would like to move to HK in early 2022. But the Covid protocol was too strict to get him on board.
Below is the interview with HK Cable TV back in Sep 2022. It mentioned SDS could not come to HK in early 2022.
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