Valdi de Souza

Valdi de Souza, a popular figure within the breeze-up community who died at the age of 49 following a freak accident at work, will be remembered at Cork on Friday, July 25 when a race will be run in his memory.  De Souza rode over a couple of hundred winners as a professional jockey in his native Brazil and also enjoyed stints on the Saudi Arabian circuit. His finest hour in the saddle came when he partnered Rock Of Rochelle to win a Listed race at the Curragh for trainer...

This past week the racing has come a distant second in the minds of many when set against the tragedy that has befallen the family of racing commentator John Hunt. Such an appalling act of cruelty is impossible to contemplate, especially when it concerns someone who is so popular and respected. In any workplace there are divisions and squabbles. What unites the racing press room in Britain is the unquestionable fact that John is not only a talented professional but a thoroughly decent man; a friend to so many.  He...

The racing and breeze-up communities in Ireland have been rocked by the news that prominent rider Valdi de Souza has died at the age of 49 following "a freak accident" at work. The Brazilian native's finest hour in the saddle came when he partnered Rock Of Rochelle to win a Listed race at the Curragh for trainer Andrew Kinsella back in 2007.  He had been part of the fabric of Brendan Holland's Grove Stud for the past 11 years and the leading breeze-up handler paid an emotional tribute to de...