De Souza suspended 18 months
Shortly after the Jason Ong-trained two-year-old jumped out from the gates, de Souza fell off the horse.
After reviewing the films of the incident with the Brazilian jockey and the evidence tendered, the stewards decided that he had not exhausted all remedies to prevent himself from being dislodged from Pacific Power.
The 33-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was found guilty as charged.
He was suspended from riding in races for 18 months, from July 22 to Jan 21, 2027. He was also fined RM50,000 (S$15,100) and advised of his right of appeal.De Souza's licence has also been revoked. He will not be able to apply for a new jockey's licence for another year following the conclusion of his sentence.
The younger brother of three-time Malaysian champion jockey Jose, de Souza began riding in Brazil in 2015. After eight months, he moved to Malaysia and continued his apprenticeship under Richard Lines.
He came closest to winning the jockeys' premiership in 2018, when he finished second on 47 wins, seven fewer than Ruzaini Supien.
De Souza, who last won on Pacific Warrior on July 20, has tallied 32 wins in 2025 and sits second behind leading jockey Andre da Silva.
SELANGOR TURF CLUB
Additional reporting by Sharon Zhang
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