Top European jockey Silvestre de Sousa will move his saddle to the United States beginning in October. The Brazilian native will join the Belmont jockey colony and former trainer Seth Benzel has his book.
“I think he feels like he's at the prime of his career and he wants a new challenge,” Benzel explained. “He's been in the UK for the last several years and has been successful there and he's been runner-up for the championship for two years and now, knock on wood, on his way to a championship there in the UK. Coming from Brazil he's always dreamed of riding in the United States. He wants to accomplish as much as he can while he's in the prime of his career and he feels this is a great move for him.”
Benzel also believes de Sousa's style of riding will fit well in American racing.
“When you talk about British and American racing from a stylistic viewpoint, I think there's been a lot of differences in the past,” Benzel explained. “But I think if you look at guys like Frankie Dettori, or even Silvestre himself, they brought a more stylish riding style to English racing. I don't think Silvestre will have a problem at all. He carved his early days out in Brazil, and we know a lot of good jockeys have come from South America, so I don't think style will be a problem; in fact, I think it's going to be an asset. He's ridden at many different racetracks and in many different situations–and that includes surfaces.”
Benzel noted that, for now, the goal is to ride in New York, but that the jockey/agent team will see where the fall takes them.
“We're going to keep our options open and we're going to play it by ear and see what works out to be the best avenue,” he said.
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