A TOP jockey who won £80million on the track saw his career spiral out of control thanks to a sex addiction.
Now after turning his life around, he’s a happily married motivational speaker who’s helping others to fight their demons.
Eurico won the Queen’s Plate (now the King’s Plate) on two occasions
Although he won’t be familiar to many British racing fans, Eurico Rosa Da Silva is racing royalty in Canada.
He was crowned champion jockey seven times on that side of the Atlantic, winning it four times in a row from 2015 until his retirement in 2019.
His career was far from straightforward, however, and badly affected by a sex addiction.
Da Silva said there were “two versions of him” during his hugely successful career on the track – one with a million-dollar smile, and one with a secret life of shame.
Speaking to the Down The Stretch podcast, Da Silva said: “I was a sex addict for many, many years. I have fought this all my adult life.
“I loved married life and I have always strived to be a civil person, but my addiction has cost me a great deal. Especially money.
“Whenever things weren’t going well for me I just went to a hooker. It was like punishment for myself.
“It was my weakness and even back then I could see that it was disgusting. And for years I just hated myself.”
After marrying his second wife Orlaith in 2016, he believes the issue was put behind him, and that can be backed up by the results on the track.
Already crowned champion jockey in 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2016, he went on to win it three more times in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Queen’s Plate is one of Canada’s Triple Crown and he won it twice, receiving the trophy from Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.
Much like Royal Ascot, she arrived in horse and carriage,and it would turn out to be her fourth and final visit to the race.
Da Silva even won the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award in 2021, a yearly award given to a jockey who has made a significant contribution to the sport.
Since retiring, Da Silva has become a mind coach and public speaker, helping with performance coaching and much more.
He’s spoken openly about his battle with suicidal thoughts earlier in his career.
Da Silva has also written a book about his life and career titled ‘Riding For Freedom’.
It tells the story of his difficult upbringing on a dairy farm in an impoverished community in rural Brazil, and his subsequent path to Canada via Macau.
The Sports Network (TSN) described the book as having “many shocking revelations”.
Da Silva told TSN: “I cried for three months [writing the book], even more, it was not easy.
“It was very therapeutic because I realised even more how much damage I’d suffered.”