It has been almost three months without racing for jockey Vitor Espindola and one month into his stay in Singapore since moving from Malaysia, one would think he would have jumped at his chances to ride at the Singapore Gold Cup meeting this Saturday, but he did not.
The young Brazilian hoop, who last rode Jakama Pegasus in Ipoh on 26 August, was granted a Singapore jockey’s licence from October onwards but only had his Employment Pass approved last Friday.
Like most other jockeys who first came here, the newest kid on the block seized the opportunities to ride at trackwork as soon as he could, but preferred to “hold his horses” when it came to riding on Saturday, including a chance ride in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m).
“I was very happy because I was waiting for the (Employment Pass) approval for a long time,” said the lightweight jockey, who has more than 150 wins under his belt since his debut in Brazil in August 2019.
“I moved to Yishun a month ago so I can adapt to life in Singapore. I run seven kilometres every day, go to the gym and swim to maintain my fitness.
“(Trainer) Ricardo (Le Grange) did ask me to ride Maxima. I watched his replays and thought the horse is a good lightweight chance in the Gold Cup, but it’s been more than two months or so since I rode in a race and to start (off) here with riding in a Group 1 race, it’s not easy.
“I also want to get to know the tracks first and get my fitness back, because even though I exercised every day, it’s still not the same as riding horses.
“I rode three horses at trackwork yesterday morning, two for (trainer) Tim (Fitzsimmons) and one for Ricardo. I also rode three this morning and have about six or seven horses for trackwork tomorrow.
“The tracks are beautiful and very good, not very different from the ones we have in Brazil. I really enjoyed working on it.
“I should have some rides next Saturday, but I would probably come to watch the meeting this Saturday to familiarise myself with the races.”
Much as he would be hoping for an early 21st birthday present, five days before his actual birthday, in the form of a winner next Saturday, Espindola was already grateful for the chance to ride in Singapore, a place where he has followed since his formative years in Sao Paolo.
Born in Dourados, a countryside in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil, Espindola grew up among horses at his family’s farm and first learned to ride Quarter Horses at the Sorocaba Jockey Club in Sao Paulo before enrolling into the Sao Paulo Apprentice School in 2019.
After claiming the Brazilian champion apprentice jockey title in the 2020/2021 season, he rode overseas for the first time in Kuwait where he won his first Group 1 race aboard Moatasem in February 2022.
While Espindola was hungry for more international exposure, an invitation from Penang-born trainer Cheng Han Yong brought him to Malaysia in January this year, which also meant he was one step closer to his dream of riding in Singapore.
“HY Cheng called me one day and told me to go to Malaysia. I accepted it because I always wanted to build my international career,” said Espindola, whose father is a construction worker, mother a housewife and has two older brothers and two older sisters in the family.
“I was the champion apprentice in Brazil but it was during COVID-19 times and it was not easy. I also liked the world outside so I travelled to Kuwait to ride.
“Since I was very young, my uncle brought horses out for walks and took me with him to ride them. I wanted to become a jockey since then.
“My inspirations are some Brazilian jockeys who have won major races like Joao Moreira and Silvestre de Sousa.
“I have also heard of (jockey) Manoel Nunes but never ridden against him before, but I have ridden against (jockey) Bruno (Queiroz) many times before. He is a good person and a disciplined jockey.
“My goal was always to come to Singapore to ride one day because I’ve followed Singapore racing since I rode in Brazil and Kuwait. I know that racing is good here.”
Although the Singapore racing chapter is set to close on 5 October next year, Espindola still hopes to make the most of his riding stint in the Lion City.
“I hope to ride here till next October,” said Espindola, who picked up basic English during his stint in Malaysia.
“I want to win many races here and use this experience gained to grow further as a jockey, so I can share this experience next time.
“Even if it means my riding stint here is short (compared to the road ahead) in my career, I think the exposure can make a difference to my career later.”
By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
