Jockey who fled country after ‘practically jumping off' horse hit with massive 18-month ban and fine
Footage of Brazilian rider Lemos 'Lai Lai' De Souza's spill from favourite Pacific Power gained worldwide notoriety.
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Pacific Power was favourite for a race at Selangor racecourse in Malaysia but drifted just before the off.
De Souza was seen appearing to bounce in the saddle before theatrically falling off the horse seconds after the gates opened.
Commentator Devon Pretorius said at the time: "He practically jumped off the horse."
Stewards attempted to open an urgent investigation into the incident, which occurred earlier this month.
But matters were complicated after it emerged De Souza had fled the country for Singapore so he could receive medical treatment.
The jockey was said to have returned a few days later - giving stewards the chance to probe him.
And, following the completion of the investigation, they decided to ban De Souza for 18 months and hand him a £7,500 fine.
In another blow, the jockey is not allowed to reapply for his licence until a further 12 months after his ban ends.
De Souza, who had pleaded not guilty, was deemed to have 'failed to ride his horse to the satisfaction of the stewards'.
He could have been disqualified for life but stewards took into account his previous good record.
Footage of De Souza's fall was viewed hundreds of thousands of times online.
And many agreed with Pretorious' description of the incident.
He said: "A look at the replay here… Pacific Power jumps and Lai Lai - I'm not too sure if the saddle slipped.
"Then he pretty much knew his fate about ten metres out of the starting stalls and then practically jumped off the horse as he knew he wasn't going to get his foot back in his irons on his right side."
This is the second such incident to rock racing in recent months.
An investigation is still ongoing into Irish jockey Philip Byrnes' dramatic fall from Redwood Queen at Wexford in May.
While fellow jockey Alvinio Roy was in Mauritius last year.
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