Silvestre de Sousa has received a 24-day suspension

Silvestre de Sousa has received a 24-day suspension, with eight days deferred, for breaching whip rules while riding Big Mojo in the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster.

The three-time champion jockey was found to have exceeded the permitted whip level while riding Mick Appleby’s talented juvenile, who finished a neck behind Aesterius in the Group Two race.

This marks De Sousa’s fifth offence in the last six months regarding whip use, which includes one for exceeding the allowed level, two for using the whip without giving the horse time to respond, and one for using it in the incorrect place.

De Sousa admitted the breach to the stewards, but the case was referred to the Whip Review Committee, which confirmed the 24-day suspension, with eight days deferred for six months or until he completes 200 rides, whichever comes first.