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1 SILVESTRE DE SOUSA STOBART CHAMPION FLAT JOCKEY 217

SILVESTRE DE SOUSA Liked and respected by his colleagues, sought after by owners and trainers and undeniably popular with punters, Silvestre de Sousa has been the runaway winner of a second Stobart

One of 1 children born on a remote island to the north of Despite having got to grips with a change in climate and Brazil, De Sousa rode horses on his father s farm, but felt no the departure De

On great calling to a jockey s life indeed, at 13 he headed the verge of returning home, he met David Nicholls at The for the bright lights of Sao Paulo to work in a factory owned Curragh and soon

by one of his brothers, and it was only a chance visit to the races helped by an introduction to legendary Brazillian rider Fausto Durso, who ate at a restaurant where a neighbour worked.

Nothing happened quickly though and he had to wait months for a first ride even when joining a big yard, and although he eventually ended up as champion apprentice at Sao Paulo s racecourse,

The need for patience was a story that was repeated when a few years later, by now aged 23, he left Brazil for Europe and found himself at Dermot Weld s stable in Ireland, as one of five jockeys from

2 SILVESTRE DE SOUSA Liked and respected by his colleagues, sought after by owners and trainers and undeniably popular with punters, Silvestre de Sousa has been the runaway winner of a second Stobart Champion Flat Jockey crown, having won his first in 215. One of 1 children born on a remote island to the north of Despite having got to grips with a change in climate and Brazil, De Sousa rode horses on his father s farm, but felt no the departure De Sousa was still waiting for his first ride. On great calling to a jockey s life indeed, at 13 he headed the verge of returning home, he met David Nicholls at The for the bright lights of Sao Paulo to work in a factory owned Curragh and soon began work at his Yorkshire yard. by one of his brothers, and it was only a chance visit to the races helped by an introduction to legendary Brazillian rider Fausto Durso, who ate at a restaurant where a neighbour worked. That saw a change of direction and his acceptance (as one of 15 from over 3 applicants) to the city s academy for apprentice jockeys. Nothing happened quickly though and he had to wait months for a first ride even when joining a big yard, and although he eventually ended up as champion apprentice at Sao Paulo s racecourse, Hipodromo de Cidade Jardim, he broke his arm and the resulting six months on the side lines saw him fall back down the pecking order. The need for patience was a story that was repeated when a few years later, by now aged 23, he left Brazil for Europe and found himself at Dermot Weld s stable in Ireland, as one of five jockeys from the country to take advantage of a scheme designed to get wider experience of riding. This year De Sousa has hardly given his rivals a chance His first winner outside of Brazil arrived on New Year s Day During the 215 Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship and at Southwell in 26 on a horse called Sonic Anthem, who despite being priced at 1-1 before the off De Sousa blew took a lowly maiden by 16 lengths. Nicholls response his competitors away, and in racing terms, made-all from the to that winning margin is unrecorded, but it didn t stop highway mark of the race for the title with none of his rivals him from identifying the talent of the jockey, whose 3lb ever causing him a moment of concern. He finished on 132 apprentices allowance was a bit of a gift. winners from 734 rides. Crowned at QIPCO British Champions Back in third place in Sonic Anthem s race was another jockey to come from Ireland to work for Nicholls, Victoria Behan. The pair were soon inseparable and when she fell Day in front of a packed crowd, the achievement firmly cemented De Sousa as one of the top jockeys in the weighing room and a force to be reckoned with. pregnant with their son, Ryan at the end of that year, she The 216 Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship looked quit. Three years later, they were married. to be following a similar path to the year before. Now Back on the track De Sousa spent the next couple of years honing his style and building his contacts outside of the yard, and early in 29 he parted ways with Nicholls to become a freelance. Some big handicap successes helped to further get him noticed and his popularity grew further to the extent that he was able to push Paul Hanagan all the way in the jockeys championship in 211. De Sousa s industry, strength and quiet self-confidence had by now been spotted by Godolphin and he joined them in early 212. Good times there included victory in the Dubai World Cup and at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day 213 when Farhh took the QIPCO Champion Stakes. But those good times came to an end a little more than two years later. However rather than sulking, De Sousa has responded in typical fashion, with hard work, a smile for everyone, and a bucket-load of winners. commanding the respect of the bookmakers who priced him up at considerably shorter odds to retain his crown, De Sousa proceeded to reinstate his position at the top of the table for the first half of the season. However former Jump Jockey had other ideas and after a blistering August and September finally toppled the Brazilian and eventually wrestled the title off him, with De Sousa finishing runner up by 16 winners. This year De Sousa has hardly given his rivals a chance. He burst out of the starting stalls and quickly pulled clear and by the end of June was already 19 clear of second place. He reached a 1 winners in the Stobart-backed Championship in early August just 96 days after it started. This was helped by the fact he had ridden two or more winners on no less than 28 days during that period including one six-timer, three four-timers and four trebles. [ Find out more about De Sousa s journey from Brazil to Stobart Champion Flat Jockey in this animation of his life: ]

3 SILVESTRE DE SOUSA STAT FILE BORN 31 DEC 198 AGE 36 LIVES IN NEWMARKET LOWEST RIDING WEIGHT 217 GROUP & LISTED WINS WINS 143 * 217 PRIZE MONEY: 1,542,32 HEIGHT 5FT 1 STRIKE RATE * 8st 2lbs 217 RIDES 795* 217 WINNERS BY UK RACECOURSE COURSE WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE Yarmouth % Newmarket % Brighton % Lingfield Park % Ripon % Sandown Park % Epsom Downs % Pontefract % Doncaster % Goodwood % Ascot % Leicester % Nottingham % Chepstow % Haydock Park % Kempton Park % Thirsk % Windsor % Bath % Chelmsford City % Newbury % Wolverhampton % Musselburgh 1 5 2% Redcar 1 5 2% Chester - 2 % Sailsbury - 3 % York - 1 % 217 TOP 2 TRAINERS TOTAL DISTANCE RACED: 817 miles BIGGEST WIN OF THE YEAR: 15 September: Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2) (British Champions Series) Desert Skyline BIGGEST WINNING DISTANCE: 9 Lengths on Medburn Dream at Lingfield on 24 June and Heatongrad at Epsom on 1 October BIGGEST PRICED WINNER: 25/1 Danielsflyer at Newmarket TREBLES: FIVE 17 May - Yarmouth 18 May - Newmarket 21 May - Ripon 5 August - Goodwood 9 August - Brighton QUADRUPLES: THREE 14 June - Yarmouth 25 June - Pontefract 1 August - Yarmouth SIX WINNERS IN ONE DAY: 16 June: One at Goodwood, five at Sandown Park MOST SUCCESSFUL RACECOURSE IN THE 217 CHAMPIONSHIP: Yarmouth (2 wins) MOST SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS: HORSE - Hope is High/Swilly Sunset - 4 wins TRAINER - Mark Johnston - 19 wins OWNER - Prince A.A.Faisal/Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum - 5 wins TRAINER GRAND TOTAL TRAINER GRAND TOTAL Mark Johnston 19 Ivan Furtado 3 Roger Varian 16 Philip McBride 3 Mick Channon 9 Rae Guest 3 Michael Appleby 7 Saeed bin Suroor 3 Richard Hannon 6 Charles Hills 2 Chris Dwyer 5 Daniel Kubler 2 Simon Crisford 5 David Elsworth 2 Anthony Carson 4 George Scott 2 David Evans 4 James Given 2 Ed de Giles 4 Martyn Meade 2 John Barry 4 Nigel Tinkler 2 Michael Bell 4 Richard Fahey 2 Ed Dunlop 3 *Statistics correct as of 8 October 217

SILVESTRE DE SOUSA RIDES & WINS 215 & 217 HIS CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING YEARS THE TEAM BEHIND THE

at Epsom Winning the Juddmonte International Stakes on Arabian Queen at York, a 5/1 outsider 6

Handicap Stakes on Shargiah, one of six winners that day.

Stakes (Group 3) at Ascot 2 17 OCT 215 Wins the Doncaster Cup Stakes on Desert Skyline at

Sousa has reached 143 winners (from 797 rides) in this year s Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship

Despite being 1-1 odds to win the 215 Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship before it began in May

Stakes (Group 3) with Arabian Queen on 5 June.

standings with a treble at Leicester on 16 July.

campaign in August, winning for the second time that year on Arabian Queen in the Juddmonte

The Irish thoroughbred was a 5-1 shot before the start of the race and shocked the winner of

De Sousa went on to be crowned Stobart Champion Flat Jockey for the first time at Ascot on 17

VICTORIA DE SOUSA SHELLEY DWYER RYAN DE SOUSA Victoria met Silvestre at Dandy Nicholls s yard

After falling in love, Victoria gave birth to Ryan in 28 then she and SIlvestre got married in

Shelley became close to the De Sousas when Silvestre and Victoria moved next door in 211.

Flat Jockeys Championship titles (215 and 217).

jumping team. His other hobbies include go karting and rugby.

WIFE AGENT SON In 217, the month of June was key to the Brazilian breaking away from the rest

He recorded 4 wins in June from 164 rides at an impressive strike rate of 24%, moving him 19

This included an incredible six winners on 16 June, with a remarkable 968-1 five-timer at

4 SILVESTRE DE SOUSA RIDES & WINS 215 & 217 HIS CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING YEARS THE TEAM BEHIND THE MAN ARABIAN QUEEN 5 JUN 215 ARABIAN QUEEN 19 AUG 215 Wins the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom Winning the Juddmonte International Stakes on Arabian Queen at York, a 5/1 outsider 6 5 SHARGIAH 16 JUN SWEET SELECTION 3 MAY Wins the George Lindon-Travers Memorial Handicap Stakes on Shargiah, one of six winners that day. FIRST STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP DESERTSKYLINE 15 SEPT 217 Wins the Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) at Ascot 2 17 OCT 215 Wins the Doncaster Cup Stakes on Desert Skyline at Doncaster 1 APR MAY 215 RIDES JUN JUL 217 RIDES AUG 215 WINS SEPT OCT 217 WINS Silvestre de Sousa has reached 143 winners (from 797 rides) in this year s Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship at a faster rate than his previous title win in 215. Despite being 1-1 odds to win the 215 Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship before it began in May that year, De Sousa got his campaign off to a steady start and won the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) with Arabian Queen on 5 June. An unfortunate neck injury to Championship leader at Newmarket in July paved the way for De Sousa to take the lead. He grabbed his chance with both hands, moving past 5 winners and then out in front in the standings with a treble at Leicester on 16 July. De Sousa then went from strength to strength and registered the standout moment of his 215 campaign in August, winning for the second time that year on Arabian Queen in the Juddmonte International at York. The Irish thoroughbred was a 5-1 shot before the start of the race and shocked the winner of the Derby and the Arc that year, Golden Horn, by a neck. De Sousa went on to be crowned Stobart Champion Flat Jockey for the first time at Ascot on 17 October 215, with 132 winners from 734 rides at a strike rate of. VICTORIA DE SOUSA SHELLEY DWYER RYAN DE SOUSA Victoria met Silvestre at Dandy Nicholls s yard when both were Apprentice Jockeys. After falling in love, Victoria gave birth to Ryan in 28 then she and SIlvestre got married in 212. They now live in Newmarket together and there is another baby boy due next month! Shelley became close to the De Sousas when Silvestre and Victoria moved next door in 211. In the three years since Shelley became Silvestre s agent, the Brazilian has won two Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship titles (215 and 217). The De Sousa s only child is 1-years-old, and this year he represented Great Britain U1s show jumping team. His other hobbies include go karting and rugby. He s pictured here with Frankie, the family s sausage dog. WIFE AGENT SON In 217, the month of June was key to the Brazilian breaking away from the rest of the pack. He recorded 4 wins in June from 164 rides at an impressive strike rate of 24%, moving him 19 clear of then second-placed. This included an incredible six winners on 16 June, with a remarkable five-timer at Sandown Park aboard Branscombe, Falmouth Light, Call Me Grumpy, Shargiah (pictured above) and Dominating. The Brazilian then travelled to Goodwood for his sixth of the day on l Vegotthepower, who won by a head from heavy favourite Marzouq in the mile handicap. From then on, De Sousa has continued to pull clear of the chasing pack and by the end of August he was 4 wins ahead of. On 15 September he registered his biggest winner of the season on Desert Skyline in Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2). LEADING TRAINER PARTNERSHIP MARK JOHNSTON DRIVER PAUL DAVID MUSTO The North Yorkshire-based trainer has provided 19 winners for De Sousa this season, including 11/1 shot Soldier in Action in the Qatar Summer Handicap at Goodwood on 5th August. Has been Silvestre s driver for the last three years and is a good family friend of the De Sousa s. He takes Silvestre everywhere he goes! David was initially Victoria s valet before then becoming Silvestre s, so he has worked with the family from the very beginning. He is known to be very reliable and a great man to work with. VALET

HOW THE 217 STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP UNFOLDED STANDINGS AT THE END OF

75 25% MAY JUNE JULY Andrea Atzeni Frankie Dettori 19 17 17 16 111 68 75 53

85 435 2% 61 345 53 3 William Buick 51 226 23% 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 6/7 MAY

ROYAL ASCOT 13/14/15 JULY MOET CHANDON JULY FESTIVAL JUL 24/26 AUG EBOR

ELIZABETH STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) AUG 9 SEPT HAYDOCK SPRINT CUP 16

OCT 5 235 21% AUGUST 122 82 73 66 61 46 397 35 2% 22% Joe Fanning 6 367 16%

SOUSA POSITION: 1ST WINNERS: 143 RIDES: 795 STRIKE RATE: JIM CROWLEY POSITION:

RIDES: 422 STRIKE RATE: 23% JAMES DOYLE POSITION: 4TH WINNERS: 83 RIDES: 46

5 HOW THE 217 STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP UNFOLDED STANDINGS AT THE END OF EACH MONTH: STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS CHART William Buick % MAY JUNE JULY Andrea Atzeni Frankie Dettori % 25% 23% 3% % % William Buick % % % William Buick % /7 MAY QIPCO GUINEAS FESTIVAL MAY 2/3 JUNE INVESTEC DERBY FESTIVAL JUN 2/24 JUNE ROYAL ASCOT 13/14/15 JULY MOET CHANDON JULY FESTIVAL JUL 24/26 AUG EBOR FESTIVAL 1/5 AUG QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL 29 JULY KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) AUG 9 SEPT HAYDOCK SPRINT CUP 16 SEPTEMBER WILLIAM HILL ST LEGER DAY 1 OCT QATAR PRIX DE L ARC DE TRIOMPHE SEPT OCT % AUGUST % 22% Joe Fanning % SEPTEMBER James Doyle % 22% SILVESTRE DE SOUSA POSITION: 1ST WINNERS: 143 RIDES: 795 STRIKE RATE: JIM CROWLEY POSITION: 2ND WINNERS: 19 RIDES: 65 STRIKE RATE: RYAN MOORE POSITION: 3RD WINNERS: 97 RIDES: 422 STRIKE RATE: 23% JAMES DOYLE POSITION: 4TH WINNERS: 83 RIDES: 46 STRIKE RATE: DANIEL TUDHOPE POSITION: 5TH WINNERS: 85 RIDES: 388 STRIKE RATE: 22% *Statistics correct as of 8 October 217

APPRENTICE BATTLE JOCKEYS: AGE vs WINNERS 16 5 14 45 4 12 35 1 3 8 25 6 2 15 4 1 ANDREA ATZENI PJ MCDONALD LUKE MORRIS OISIN MURPHY JOE FANNING DANIEL TUDHOPE AGE

Listed Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket in July.

Unlike many other professional sports there are a higher percentage of jockeys over the age of 3 making their way into the top 1 of the 217 Stobart Flat Jockeys

In comparison to other sports, this season s Premier League (football) has just two people over the age of 3 in the top 1 Premier League goal scoring charts (Jamie

It is a similar story in this season s Aviva Premiership (rugby) with three of the top 1 try scorers over the age of 3 (Semesa Rokodugni, Vereniki Goneva and Chris

In the top 1 of tennis s ATP Tour rankings, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka are all over the age of 3, while the same

*Statistics correct as of 8 October 217 In essence, there are more athletes in the top 1 of the Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship over the age of 3 than other sports.

Atzeni (26) have all done exceptionally well to break into the top 1 of the standings.

With less than a fortnight to go until the climax of the Flat season on QIPCO British Champions Day, it is rising star DAVID EGAN who heads the race to become the 217

Significantly, though, the signs are very positive for Shoemark s future as a leading jockey as his popularity with a number of trainers, as well as boss Roger

Whether or not he is ultimately handed the title and the 5, prize money it has undoubtedly been an outstanding year for the 18-year-old who only rode his first winner

Having ridden in pony races in Ireland, Egan left as a 16-year-old to train at the British Racing School and has been working since in Newmarket for Roger Varian.

have ridden against each other in numerous races this year.

I couldn t be happier with how the year has gone, says Egan.

There was one day in July where we had both ridden exactly the same number of winners from the same number of rides over the course of the year, which was pretty

After riding a treble at Epsom from three rides on July 13, he became a fullyfledged rider and said: I m very grateful for the support that Mr Charlton and other

6 APPRENTICE BATTLE JOCKEYS: AGE vs WINNERS ANDREA ATZENI PJ MCDONALD LUKE MORRIS OISIN MURPHY JOE FANNING DANIEL TUDHOPE AGE JAMES DOYLE RYAN MOORE JIM CROWLEY 5 SILVESTRE DE SOUSA 2 WINNERS The 19-year-old from Essex secured the biggest win of his career so far when God Given landed the Listed Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket in July. Wood is attached to the stable of James Fanshawe, but has picked up a number of rides for other major stables, including God Given s trainer Luca Cumani. Unlike many other professional sports there are a higher percentage of jockeys over the age of 3 making their way into the top 1 of the 217 Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship: Silvestre de Sousa (36), (39), (34), (31), Joe Fanning (47) and PJ McDonald (35). In comparison to other sports, this season s Premier League (football) has just two people over the age of 3 in the top 1 Premier League goal scoring charts (Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki, both of Leicester City). It is a similar story in this season s Aviva Premiership (rugby) with three of the top 1 try scorers over the age of 3 (Semesa Rokodugni, Vereniki Goneva and Chris Wyles). In the top 1 of tennis s ATP Tour rankings, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka are all over the age of 3, while the same can be said in Formula One of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Nico Hulkenburg. *Statistics correct as of 8 October 217 In essence, there are more athletes in the top 1 of the Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship over the age of 3 than other sports. This not only shows that experience is important in order to be a successful jockey, but also that James Doyle (29), Oisin Murphy (22), Luke Morris (28) and Andrea Atzeni (26) have all done exceptionally well to break into the top 1 of the standings. At the age of just 22 and with 74 wins already this year, Irishman Murphy clearly has a bright future ahead of him in the sport. With less than a fortnight to go until the climax of the Flat season on QIPCO British Champions Day, it is rising star DAVID EGAN who heads the race to become the 217 Stobart Champion Apprentice. A couple of years older than Egan and Wood is Kieran Shoemark, whose successful campaign has seen him ride out his apprentices allowance. Significantly, though, the signs are very positive for Shoemark s future as a leading jockey as his popularity with a number of trainers, as well as boss Roger Charlton, is showing absolutely no sign of drying up. Whether or not he is ultimately handed the title and the 5, prize money it has undoubtedly been an outstanding year for the 18-year-old who only rode his first winner little more than a year ago. Having ridden in pony races in Ireland, Egan left as a 16-year-old to train at the British Racing School and has been working since in Newmarket for Roger Varian. He lives just outside the town with his father, John, himself a highly successful rider, and although the pair have yet to go head-to-head in any finishes, the pair have ridden against each other in numerous races this year. KIERAN SHOEMARK HOLLIE DOYLE GEORGE WOOD Shoemark proved an instant hit as an apprentice when first taking out a licence in 214, riding 21 winners in his first season when based with Andrew Balding. But things failed to spiral as might have been expected and he struggled for chances within a stable blessed with other young riding talent. I couldn t be happier with how the year has gone, says Egan. Dad has been really helpful to me, always giving me advice, and I think he has enjoyed a bit of extra rivalry too. There was one day in July where we had both ridden exactly the same number of winners from the same number of rides over the course of the year, which was pretty amazing. However, a change of focus, helped by his jockey coach John Reid, and a move to Charlton s yard in 216 have seen the victories start to flow again. After riding a treble at Epsom from three rides on July 13, he became a fullyfledged rider and said: I m very grateful for the support that Mr Charlton and other trainers have given me hopefully that they ike the way I ride. I m very grateful for all of the support I ve been given by owners and trainers and hopefully I can keep things moving forwards. It s every apprentice s dream to ride out their claim, but at the same time I know it s now that the hard work really starts. It s been a great thrill to have rides at big meetings like Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and to have a couple of rides in Listed races where trainers have been prepared to put me up even though I haven t been able to ride with my allowance. Hopefully in the future I will be riding in more pattern races, but I will take things as they come. It was Hollie Doyle who cut out the initial pace in the championship, showing on several occasions just what a polished rider she has developed into. However, a fractured collarbone, sustained in a heavy fall at Goodwood in June, cost her important momentum and forced her on to the sidelines for over a month. She remains a young rider who has enjoyed an excellent year, as has Callum Rodriguez, who made headlines when riding Nakeeta to take the valuable Betfred Ebor at York and impressed with his coolness on and off the track. Whatever the outcome of this year s championship, Egan is set to be in a position to mount a challenge for the same title all over again next year as his apprentice status is likely to remain in place for the start of next season. The same is also likely to be the case for George Wood, another Newmarket-based rider, who has also enjoyed a fine season.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Penny Maltby-Payne PR Manager, Great British Racing T: 2 7152 192 E:

7 FOR MORE INFORMATION Penny Maltby-Payne PR Manager, Great British Racing T: E: pmaltby@greatbritishracing.com Ben Young PR Executive, Great British Racing T: E: byoung@greatbritishracing.com

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