Silvestre de Sousa: new King Power role may impact on jockeys' title defence

Reigning champion Silvestre de Sousa has said he will not have as much scope to chase winners in pursuit of a fourth title in five years in his new role as retained rider for King Power Racing.

De Sousa is excited to be back in Britain to take up his new role and has his first rides in the country at Chelmsford on Thursday, two days before the start of the new Flat turf season.

He claimed his third Stobart-backed jockeys' championship last year but his attempt at a fourth crown could be curtailed as he prioritises his new role with King Power. The jockey said on Tuesday: "I want to ride as many winners as I can, especially for my boss. It has come at the right time and I hope things can work out well. It's a young operation and they have a lot of ambitions.

"I don't think I'll have as much time on my hands to be chasing winners or going where I think I've got the best chance of riding a winner.

"It's very sad the main man [Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha] has passed away but the son [Aiyawatt] is able to carry on his father's dream."

Britain's last ten champion Flat jockeys

2009 Ryan Moore
2010 Paul Hanagan
2011 Paul Hanagan
2012 Richard Hughes
2013 Richard Hughes
2014 Richard Hughes
2015 Silvestre de Sousa
2016 Jim Crowley
2017 Silvestre de Sousa
2018 Silvestre de Sousa

Bookmakers have made De Sousa a best-priced 4-5 shot for this year's championship, with Oisin Murphy next best at a general 7-4.

De Sousa will get a first taste of his new partnership with King Power Racing on Thursday at Chelmsford with rides on Fox Leicester (6.00) and Rux Power (7.00).

He also partners Wolverhampton Lincoln trial winner Zwayyan in the Unibet Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday, and added: "He won the trial and is one to look forward to. I'm excited by the job, they've got a lot of horses and with different trainers."

Sir Michael Stoute, Karl Burke and Tim Easterby have all been added to the King Power Racing roster this year, with over 100 horses in training carrying the blue and white colours.

De Sousa is back in Britain after enjoying his third winter in Hong Kong, and his most productive, with 44 winners.

"It was a good time and I think the success I had in Britain worked in my favour," he added. "I made the most of the chances I had."

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