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29 March 2024

New Dubai recruit rules out big-race nerves

Brazilian-born jockey Silvestre de Sousa is riding for the first time at the Dubai World Cup meeting. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Godolphin's newest recuit Silvestre de Sousa has five rides on his debut on Dubai World World night for the famed Dubai stables closing with Mendip for trainer Saeed bin Suroor in the $10 million race.

The 32-year-old Brazilian who narrowly lost out to Paul Hanagan in a prolonged duel for the British jockeys’ championship, joined Godolphin last month as understudy to team captain Frankie Dettori.

“It’s been fantastic time, I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” the jockey said ahead of the Dubai World Cup night on Saturday.

“Everything has happened so quickly. Sometimes I have to pinch myself but obviously I’m delighted,” said De Sousa who made an impressive debut on the competitive Dubai circuit, highlighted by a double on February 9 (Group 3 Firebreak Stakes on Sandagiyr and a 2,435m handicap on Songcraft).

It only started happening for De Sousa when he moved from Ireland to the north of England five years ago. Since then the no-frills rider has attracted attention for his strength, allied to acute tactical acumen. That doubtless helped him to appreciate the nuances of Meydan’s all-weather surface quicker than most, although the jockey plays it down.

“I rode some good horses at the Carnival,” he said. “It’s a new track for me, but I never had a problem with it. Some people find it a bit tricky to ride on the all-weather but when you ride nice horses it doesn’t matter.”

De Sousa is booked to ride Do It All in the Godolphin Mile, Fox Hunt in the Dubai Gold Cup, Rio De La Plata in the Dubai Duty Free, Songcraft in the Sheema Classic and Mendip in the Dubai World Cup.

“Mendip is a really smart horse and if puts his best effort into the race he could be thereabouts,” De Sousa said. “I wish I could have had a better draw (than stall 13) but it really doesn’t matter to me. If he is right on the night the draw shouldn’t be a problem.”

Rio De La Plata goes in the Group 1 $5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free. “I rode the horse in some gallops at home. He is in great form and I look forward to the big night. He has lots of talent but it looks a tough race.”

De Sousa’s best chance of a winner could be down to Do It All in the Group 2 $1 million Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat.

“I rode the horse to win (the Group 2 Zabeel Mile on March 1) last time out,” the jockey said. “I feel he goes into the race with a chance.”

De Sousa also rides Songcraft in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines.

The jockey maintained that big-race nerves are alien to him.

“I never get nervous,” he said. “If the horses are good enough they will take me there. If not, I will have to wait until next year for my first winner on Dubai World Cup night.”