Jockeys Silvestre de Sousa and Vagner Borges have received harsh penalties from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for violating rules that prohibit riders from wagering or facilitating wagering.
According to a statement from Marc Van Gestel, chief stipendiary steward for the HKJC, de Sousa is suspended 10 months, with Vorges receiving a 12-month ban, both effective immediately. Both riders pleaded guilty to the charges against them during a hearing on Friday before the HKJC stewards following receipt of a report from the club's Department of Racing Integrity and Betting Analysis.
The riders admitted violating Rule of Racing 59 (3), which states: “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.”
The Racing Post is reporting that de Sousa, a three-time champion jockey in Great Britain, may appeal.
Van Gastel's report included the following information:
The details of the charge being that whilst being licensed as a jockey by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, (Borges) did have an interest in a bet on the racehorse YOUNG BRILLIANT when it raced in Race 6 at the Happy Valley race meeting conducted on 26 April 2023.
The details of the charge being that whilst being licensed as a jockey by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, (de Sousa) did facilitate jockey Borges having an interest in a bet on the racehorse YOUNG BRILLIANT when it raced in Race 6 at the Happy Valley race meeting conducted on 26 April 2023.
In deciding the matter of penalty in respect of jockey Borges, the stewards took into consideration that it is fundamental to the integrity of racing that jockeys are not permitted to bet or to have an interest in a bet. In mitigation, the stewards also took into consideration all submissions made by jockey Borges and, amongst other relevant matters, jockey Borges' guilty plea and unblemished record in relation to betting offenses.
In the circumstances, Jockey Borges was disqualified for a period of 12 months to commence immediately and expire on 12 May 2024.
In deciding the matter of penalty in respect of jockey de Sousa, the stewards took into consideration that it is fundamental to the integrity of racing that jockeys are not permitted to bet or to have an interest in a bet. In mitigation, the stewards also took into consideration all submissions made by jockey de Sousa and, amongst other relevant matters, jockey de Sousa's guilty plea and unblemished record in relation to betting offenses.
In the circumstances, jockey de Sousa was disqualified for a period of 10 months to commence immediately and expire on 12 March 2024.
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.
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