Silvestre de Sousa, the accomplished Brazilian jockey, has been denied the opportunity to ride champion miler Charyn in the horse's farewell appearance at the £900,000 Mile Championship in Kyoto, Japan. De Sousa's 10-month betting ban imposed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club earlier this year has prevented him from securing a license to compete in the prestigious race.

A Bittersweet Ending for a Successful Partnership

Silvestre de Sousa's Stellar Year with Charyn

Silvestre de Sousa had enjoyed a remarkable season in the saddle of Charyn, guiding the champion miler to victories in the Doncaster Mile, bet365 Mile, and three prestigious Group 1 races: the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Prix Jacques Le Marois, and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. De Sousa's partnership with Charyn had been a driving force behind the horse's success, and the jockey was poised to cap off their collaboration with a farewell appearance in Japan.

The Betting Ban that Dashed De Sousa's Hopes

However, De Sousa's dreams of a triumphant sendoff were shattered when the Hong Kong Jockey Club imposed a 10-month betting ban on the jockey in May 2023. The ban was a result of De Sousa's guilty plea to facilitating a fellow jockey, Vagner Borges, in placing a bet on a horse. Despite serving his sentence and successfully resuming his career in Britain, where he had been a champion jockey in 2015, 2017, and 2018, the Japan Racing Association has not granted De Sousa a license for the upcoming race.

Charyn's Farewell Race and the Replacement Jockey

Charyn's trainer, Roger Varian, expressed his disappointment at the situation, acknowledging that while De Sousa had served his ban, the JRA has its own policies that are not solely based on riding-related matters. As a result, Ryan Moore, a seasoned jockey with extensive experience in Japan, has been tapped to take over the ride on Charyn for the horse's farewell appearance.

Charyn's Impressive Form and Adaptability

Charyn, a four-year-old champion miler, has been in exceptional form this season, winning a string of prestigious races across Europe. Varian is confident that the horse is in peak condition and ready to take on the challenge of the Mile Championship in Kyoto, despite the unfamiliar environment. The trainer has praised Charyn's versatility and adaptability, noting that the horse has proven his ability to thrive on various surfaces and in different racing conditions.

Varian's Lifelong Dream to Compete in Japan

For Varian, Charyn's farewell race in Japan holds a special significance. The trainer has long harbored a desire to have a runner in the country, having previously sent the horse Sri Putra to the Japan Cup, albeit without success. With Charyn, Varian believes he has a horse capable of making a strong showing and providing a fitting finale to the champion miler's illustrious career.