TORONTO, August 25 – Woodbine’s leading rider Eurico Rosa da Silva is in Japan this weekend to represent Canada in the World All-Star Jockeys (WASJ), an international event launched by the Japan Racing Association. Previously known as the World Super Jockeys Series from 1987 to 2014, the top-class riding competition was renamed and moved to Sapporo Racecourse in northern Japan in 2015. The Brazilian-born da Silva previously competed in Japan when he piloted Up With the Birds to an off-the-board finish in the 2014 edition of the Japan Cup. "I was very, very impressed," recalled da Silva of the experience. "The Japanese fans really love horse racing. They have a lot of passion for the race." This year’s event will feature jockeys from Canada (da Silva), France (Anthony Crastus), Australia (Katelyn Mallyon, Kerrin McEvoy), Hong Kong (Joao Moreira) and the United Kingdom (Tom Queally) in joining one National Association of Racing (NAR) jockey as well as seven Japan Racing Association jockeys in the massive competition. Da Silva, a four-time Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s Outstanding Jockey, is once again on top of the Woodbine standings with 108 wins from 446 starts through the halfway point of the 133-day meet. He’s very much looking forward to the challenge of competing against the world’s best. "I’m very happy to see all these great jockeys and to meet them. I’m very happy to be with them and ride with them," said da Silva. In addition to the individual challenge, a team competition will see the overseas and NAR jockeys form “Team WAS (World All-Star)” and compete against “Team JRA” to battle it out for Team honours. The jockey who earns the most points in the four races will be declared the World All-Star Jockeys winner. Points are set out as 1st (30 points), 2nd (20 points), 3rd (15 points), 4th, (12 points), 5th (10 points), 6th (8 points), 7th (6 points), 8th (4 points), 9th (2 points), 10th – 14th (1 point). In the case of a dead-heat, each dead-heat finisher will receive full points. If a jockey is unable to ride due to scratching or other reasons beyond their control, they will be awarded six points. Any jockey who fails to finish will attain the same points as the last-place finisher in that race. No point is awarded for disqualifications, in which the jockey is at fault. The first two legs of the four-race event are scheduled for Saturday, August 26 with the final two legs set for Sunday, August 27. Share This:Share
