Brazilian jockey De Sousa joins Godolphin

The all-powerful Godolphin stable have added another string to their bow by signing top Brazilain jockey Silvestre De Sousa as a full-time rider for the Dubai-owned stable. De Sousa, who was runner-up to Paul Hanagan in the UK’s Jockey Championship last season, will be riding alongside Frankie Dettori in the stable’s famous royal blue silks. Godolphin announced that a formal arrangement is in place which will see De Sousa ride for trainers Saeed Bin Surour and Mahmood Al Zarooni on a more permanent basis. Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford commented on the stable’s website: “We now have a formal arrangement in place with Silvestre and we are delighted that he will be riding for our stable this year. “He made a great impression when he was with Mark Johnston last season and he has enjoyed a lot of success at this year’s Carnival. “He will be a big asset to our team and we are very much looking forward to a successful association”. De Sousa, 30, added: “It is a fantastic opportunity for me to be riding for the Godolphin team and I am really looking forward to the European season ahead”. The Brazilian, who enjoyed a phenomenal season in the UK last year where he rode 167 winners to Hanagan’s 177, struck up a great partnership with Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, who trains a large string for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. During a recent interview to Gulf News De Sousa named Shaikh Hamdan’s Namibian, winner of the Queen’s Vase at Ascot, as one of the best horses he has ridden. He has ridden nine winners at the Dubai World Cup Carnival including five wearing the Godolphin colours. His biggest win came in the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes aboard Bin Surour’s Sandagiyr. De Sousa is currently based in Yorkshire but will relocate to Newmarket before the new British flat season commences on March 30.