Silvestre de Sousa reaches 2000 British winners

Three-time champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa brought up his 2000th winner in Britain when partnering Neyva’s Angel to victory at Yarmouth.

The 45-year-old Brazilian-born rider became one of a select group of active jockeys to reach the landmark, joining names including Ryan Moore, William Buick, Jamie Spencer, Jim Crowley and Luke Morris.

De Sousa rode his first British winner in 2006 and has since built a decorated career highlighted by champion jockey titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018, as well as Group 1 victories in Britain and internationally.

His career has included high-profile stints as retained rider for Godolphin and King Power Racing, while he also enjoyed a long association with trainer Mark Johnston before returning to the freelance ranks.

“I am incredibly proud to have reached this milestone in my career,” De Sousa said.

“I was just a boy from Brazil, and to have this many winners in Great Britain is just a dream come true.”