Jockey who ‘practically jumped off' favourite at start facing investigation
A jockey who 'practically jumped off' a hot favourite right at the start of a race is facing a stewards' investigation. Brazilian rider Lemos 'Lai Lai' De Souza, 33, is one of the leading riders in Malaysia with 31 wins in 2025. He needs one more victory to reach 300 winners in the region.
De Souza was aboard Pacific Power in the ninth race at Selangor Turf Club on Sunday. The two-year-old had finished placed in his three previous starts.
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, De Souza 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.
One comment said: 'Looked like a 100% jump to me. Stewards should come down real hard.' Other remarks included: 'Gee just missed the landing otherwise would have been a 10. Thats so obvious' and 'I''m no expert but looks like he took a dive!'
Not everyone shared the same view, with one punter saying, 'Nah, he copped a whack coming out the stalls, the fave wasn't having a bar of it. It still hurts when you jump off, so I doubt Lemos would do that.'
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 the review faces delay as De Souza, who gave up his remaining rides, has reportedly left the country to get medical attention and is believed to be in Singapore.
According to The Straight he is also preparing materials for his defence.
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