Brazilian jockeys Silvestre de Sousa and Vagner Borges have received lengthy bans after pleading guilty to betting offences in an inquiry on Friday.

Borges has been outed for 12 months by Jockey Club stewards after having “an interest in a bet” on $18 chance Young Brilliant when he rode the four-year-old into seventh at Happy Valley on April 26, breaching rule of racing 59 (3).

“In deciding the matter of penalty in respect of jockey Borges, the stewards took into consideration that it is fundamental to the integrity of racing that jockeys are not permitted to bet or to have an interest in a bet,” the Jockey Club said in a statement.

“In mitigation, the stewards also took into consideration all submissions made by jockey Borges and, among other relevant matters, jockey Borges’ guilty plea and unblemished record in relation to betting offences.

“In the circumstances, jockey Borges was disqualified for a period of 12 months to commence immediately and expire on May 12, 2024.”

De Sousa, who finished 11th aboard David Hayes-trained $19 outsider Satirical Glory in the same race, “did facilitate jockey Borges having an interest in a bet on the racehorse Young Brilliant” and was suspended for 10 months, effective immediately, and expiring in March next year.

Like they did for Borges, stewards took into account De Sousa’s guilty plea and unblemished record in relation to betting offences.

Rule of racing 59 (3) states “no jockey shall bet or facilitate the making of a bet or have any interest in a bet on any race or any contingency relating to a race meeting”.

De Sousa led the Class Three Korea Racing Authority Trophy (1,800m) aboard Satirical Glory, while Borges sat outside him in second aboard Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s Young Brilliant.

The pair maintained their positions on entering the home straight, and Young Brilliant looked to draw level with Satirical Glory with about 200m remaining. However, both gallopers faded badly late as La City Blanche and Majestic Victory drew clear to fight out the finish.

The inquiry was held following a report received by stewards from the club’s Department of Racing Integrity and Betting Analysis. There is no suggestion the Independent Commission Against Corruption is involved.

The bans meted out by stewards are the longest since Nash Rawiller was hit with a 15-month suspension after being charged with accepting money or gifts in return for race tips in 2018, while Chris Munce was suspended for 30 months and jailed over the “tips for bets” affair in 2008.

Nash Rawiller banned for betting offences by Hong Kong Jockey Club

Three-time British champion jockey De Sousa returned to Hong Kong full-time at the start of this season, and he has ridden 45 winners for the campaign.

He had tasted success only two days ago, taking out the final race on Wednesday night’s Sha Tin card aboard Hava Nageela, and he was supposed to have nine mounts at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Borges, a four-time premiership winner in his homeland, has been on the Hong Kong roster since March 2020 and sits on seven victories this season, with his last Hong Kong victory coming aboard Sparkling Dolphin on April 23. He was only due to have three rides on Saturday.

The disqualification of Borges and De Sousa follows the recent arrivals of Brenton Avdulla and apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang, ensuring the Jockey Club’s roster remains at a healthy 24 riders.