Jockey who 'practically jumped off' hot favourite slapped with 18 month suspension

A jockey who ‘practically jumped off’ a hot favourite right at the start of a race has been slapped with an 18 month suspension. Brazilian rider Lemos ‘Lai Lai’ De Souza, 33, is one of the leading riders in Malaysia with 32 wins in 2025, and has ridden 300 winners in the region.

He was aboard Pacific Power in the ninth race at Selangor Turf Club on July 6 for the region's champion trainer Jason Ong. The two-year-old had finished placed in his three previous starts.

READ MORE: TV legend who famously beat King Charles in charity race ends 60-year career on Tuesday

READ MORE: Top Flat jockey on track for eighth century of winners takes up lucrative Hong Kong offer

He went off favourite for the 7f race but punters learned their fate as soon as the starting gates opened when De Souza immediately fell off and hit the ground. Drawn in barrier one, on the inside, he appeared to throw himself to his left as he came off.

Race commentator Devon Pretorius said: “Lai Lai De Souza has come off. Not too sure what happened there, but he’s come straight off the horse straight from the start, so Pacific Power is riderless and Lai Lai De Souza is down at the start.”

De Souza managed to get back on his feet and walk to an ambulance and once the race was completed Pretorius went back to have another look at the incident.

“A quick look at the replay here,” he said. “Pacific Power jumps. I’m not too sure if the saddle slipped and then he pretty much knew his fate about 10 metres out of the starting and just practically jumped off the horse as he knew he wasn’t going to get his foot back in the irons on his right side.”

Footage of the incident has had thousands of views on social media with many observers coming to their own conclusions.

The stewards report noted: “Jockey was dislodged from his horse shortly after the start. A review into this incident will be held at a date to be fixed.”

However De Souza, who gave up his remaining rides, left the country to get medical attention in Singapore.

He returned to action at the track on Sunday where he had ten mounts, including for the owner and trainer of Pacific Power, scoring on Pacific Warrior.

The jockey appeared a stewards panel and members of the Selangor Turf Club’s committee on Monday where he was found guilty of “failing to ride his horse to the satisfaction of the stewards”, according to The Straight.

De Souza pleaded not guilty but the panel handed an 18 month suspension until January 21 2027, fined him £8,800 and also made an order that he would not be eligible for a licence until 12 months after he has completed the sentence.