A THREE-TIME champion jockey whose career was plunged into crisis when he was caught up in a betting scandal is planning a huge comeback.
Silvestre de Sousa rose from being one of ten children brought up in his home in Brazil to arguably the world's best jockey, making millions around the globe.
But his career came crashing down earlier this year when he was hit with a massive ten-month ban while competing in Hong Kong.
De Sousa left Britain to make 'unbelievable' money in the Far East.
But the Hong Kong Jockey Club put his career on hold after he was found to have 'facilitated' his friend and fellow jockey Vagner Borges placing a bet.
De Sousa mysteriously withdrew his appeal against the suspension – and now his wife Vikki has opened up on the incident.
She says he will return to Britain determined to get his career back on track with a flurry of big-race wins once his ban ends in March.
She is quoted in the Racing Post as saying: "Silvestre will come back fighting fit next March.
"I think he's going to go freelance again.
"He wouldn't be in a rush to take a retainer or settle into anything yet, but he has been approached by a couple of people with offers.
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"His ban was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and poor association.
"He's known Vagner Borges for a long time and he wanted to place a bet and Silvestre lent him the money, and that was the facilitation of the bet.
"Silvestre wouldn't be like that, he's just not that sort of person and he's got a squeaky clean record.
"He's so sorry about it – it was just a big slip up – and he's very remorseful."
Vikki said her husband has been back in Newmarket after seeing family in Brazil.
She said it had been difficult for him being so far away from family in Hong Kong.
Vikki added: "He was awfully down for a couple of weeks, but he's fine now and will be kept busy.
"He's had loads of support, messages and phone calls, which has been lovely."
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De Sousa was crowned champion Flat jockey in Britain in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
He has more than 4,000 career wins and his biggest triumphs include the Champion Sprint Stakes on Donjuan Triumphant and the Champion Stakes and Lockinge on Farhh.
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