With more time on their hands than usual, stars of the weighing-room past and present have been reflecting on memorable equine partners over the years. Today, SILVESTRE DE SOUSA is in the hot seat…
Best horse you've ridden?
Farhh (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) was a great horse. I thought he was a brilliant horse when I rode him in his young days and then he finished his career by winning the Champion Stakes, so I'd have to say he's the best I've ridden so far. If Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) hadn't been there he would have won the Juddmonte International, He finished second to Frankel twice and then he came back as a 5-year-old to win the Lockinge. He had a few issues after that but they minded him and brought him back on Champions Day to win the Champion Stakes.
He's now the father of Dee Ex Bee who we've seen him running in so many good races, and I think he's looking like a good stallion
Favourite horse?
I've had so many favourites. I've ridden a lot of lovely horses that haven't necessarily been at the top but you get attached to them. I think every big race I've ridden in has been special for me. I feel happy even watching the replays of them. I was really thrilled last year when I won the Champion Sprint on Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) (Dream Ahead) at Ascot for King Power. I really wanted to win a Group 1 for King Power and after coming back from injury that was a good achievement. I think that's been my highlight really. Andrew Balding always had a high opinion about the horse. He went to Scotland and finished second Brando but Andrew and I both thought he was better than that. He didn't really run his race until he got his ground, but he loved the soft ground.
What are you up to while racing is off?
My wife Vicky is consigning some horses for this year's breeze-up sales so I've been helping her by riding out every morning. We have owned one or two before, but this is the first name we have consigned in our name. We decided to do it ourselves because we have a yard and we have a few boxes and we are right in Newmarket. But it's all down to Vicky and Chris Dwyer is advising her —my small part in it is just riding out. She's keeping me busy, and there's no racing so at least it gets me out of the house. We're lucky that we have plenty of space here in Newmarket and we can go out into the back garden or to the field and not mix with anyone.
Everyone is in the same boat but I am really looking forward to the season getting going this year. King Power Racing have a good number again for this season, about 100 horses. We've got some nice 4-year olds to look forward to and some younger horses coming up as well.
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