A jockey who came under fire for appearing to deliberately dismount from a race favourite in Malaysia has failed in his attempt to overturn an 18-month ban.
The Selangor Turf Club appeal panel dismissed the case of Lemos “Lai Lai” De Souza at a hearing on Sunday, upholding his conviction for “failing to ride to the satisfaction of stewards” in a race at Kuala Lumpur on July 6. De Souza fell from favourite Pacific Power shortly after the start.
Both De Souza and chief steward Deanthan Moodley made submissions to the panel before the appeal was rejected.
As it stands, De Souza will serve an 18-month suspension and has also been fined RM50,000. He will be unable to apply for a riding licence for an additional 12 months after the ban concludes.
Pacific Power, trained by Jason Ong and owned by Jimmy Poh’s Pacific Stable, has failed to win since the incident, finishing unplaced in three runs including last Sunday.