Latin Legend ended an exasperating series of minor placings to win the Klang Valley Metropolitan Stakes (Supreme B – 1500m) at Sungai Besi today.

While that victory was much welcomed by trainer Nick Selvan and owner Lim Paik See, it was also one much sought by champion jockey Andre Da Silva.

The Brazilian has not tasted success since Nov 22 when he landed a double astride Elliot Ness and Pacific General to bring his 2025 tally to 72 winners.

Da Silva had the 2025 title in the bag long before that double in November. His nearest challenger Ridzuan Shafiq finished the season with 45 winners.

Latin Legend won his local debut in May last year and picked up his second win two months later. Since then he has performed well at the top lovel without success – second to Good Star in both the Merdeka Cup (1800m) and Coronation Cup (1600m) and fourth to Kim Emperor in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m) last month when Da Silva rode him for the first time.

The pair was not to be denied this time.

A line of six horses battled for the lead early and Latin Legend was just behind that bunch watching things unfold in front.

Eventually Fortune Tree took command to lead from Pacific Padrino, Eruption and Man Man Lai. They were followed by Banker’s Victory, Pacific Warrior and Latin Legend at the 800m.

Fortune Tree led into the straight just ahead of Pacific Padrino, Man Man Lai and Eruption. Closely following them were Latin Legend and Banker’s Victory.

Fortune Tree was still in front at the 200m but with Latin Legend and Banker’s Victory now charging home on the outside.

Latin Legend hit the front 50m out to win by 3/4 length with Grand Avante flashing home to beat Banker’s Victory for second by a short head.

“Latin Legend has been running good races and were unlicky in a few runs,” said Selvan who watched the race from home.

“He has been working well and I was very confident he will win today. It’s a good win for the owner and the stables.”

“My instructions were to settle him in midfield as there were some very fast horses in the field,” said Da Silva who recently spent Christmas and New Year in South Korea catching up with Ruan Maia. It was his fellow Brazilian who introduced him to trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong, paving the way for Da Silva to ride in Malaysia.

“I was able to keep him fifth or sixth most of the way and he finished strongly.”

Latin Legend raced for three seasons in Ireland, winning once and was placed six times in 17 starts.