Johnston backs De Sousa move

Silvestre de Sousa's main supplier of winners during his breakthrough season believes the jockey is making a smart decision to join the Godolphin team.

Mark Johnston provided the Brazilian with 70 winning mounts in 2011 as he went on to finish second behind Paul Hanagan in the jockeys' championship, and the Middleham trainer would still like to use him when he can.

Johnston oversees a large string for Sheikh Mohammed's son, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, and the best of these usually graduate to the Godolphin operation. De Sousa is currently riding in Dubai and will start to link up alongside Frankie Dettori in the famous royal blue silks.

Johnston said: "I am sorry to be seeing him go but there's no question he's making the right decision. I sat down with him before he went to Dubai, which is something I suggested he did, and I thought originally he would be back with me next year, but he was made an offer.

"I said to him that rather than becoming champion jockey it was far more important to get opportunities in top-class races in order to be recognised as one of the top jockeys. I have no doubt he is capable of doing that."

Joe Fanning, who rode 43 winners for Johnston last year, has been taking all of the mounts during the British all-weather season and is likely to continue to be busy as the trainer will not be adding another jockey to the stable roster yet. He anticipates being able to use Frankie Dettori and De Sousa sometimes.

De Sousa was linked in recent days with the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum job soon to be vacated by Richard Hills, but Godolphin were delighted to be able to secure his services.

"We now have a formal arrangement in place with Silvestre and we are delighted that he will be riding for our stable this year," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

"He made a great impression when he was with Mark Johnston last season and he has enjoyed a lot of success at this year's Carnival. He will be a big asset to our team and we are very much looking forward to a successful association."

De Sousa told www.godolphin.com: "It is a fantastic opportunity for me to be riding for the Godolphin team and I am really looking forward to the European season ahead."