Accomplished rider Rosa da Silva named 2021 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award recipient

TORONTO — Brazil native and retired rider Eurico Rosa da Silva has been named the 2021 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.

The 46-year-old is one of Canadian Thoroughbred racing’s most accomplished riders and popular personalities, and has won many awards and high-profile races throughout his career.

da Silva launched his career in Brazil before moving to Macau and then landing at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack in 2004.

He recorded his first victory there the same year, teaming with Point Hidden for a half-length win over five furlongs on the main track.

da Silva first topped the standings in 2010 and won the riding title from 2015 to 2019, setting the record in 2018 for most wins in a single meet with 237 victories.

The rider is a seven-time Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s Outstanding Jockey and has victories in all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2021.

The Canadian Press