The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup went to Team Great Britain and Ireland at Ascot on Saturday. They earned 132 points and won five of the eight races. Second in the standings was the Ladies' Team at 81 points, with Team Rest of the World at 72 points and Team Europe at 51 points.
Jockey Neil Callan, part of the winning team, was awarded the Alistair Haggas Silver Saddle Award after riding two winners on the day–Orbaan (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Classified S. and Adaay In Asia (GB) (Adaay {Ire}) in the nightcap, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.
Callan said, “There is nothing to dislike about the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, it is brilliant. There is great prize-money and Ascot make it a family event to come and watch. It is a great day at our premier track and the fields are competitive.
“This is my third time and I have been on the winning team every year, so I am going to have to retire now. And it is great to have my family here.
“I have ridden with a lot of the international jockeys here over the years, all over the world. It is nice to ride against them on a competitive stage.
“The whole concept is great. Look how much coverage there is and people come to watch–it is not just racing people, and betting and punting and all that, it is families here with kids. They are the next generation–this is what we need to be pushing towards.”
The Dubai Duty Free Ride Of The Day Award went to Joanna Mason for her victory on Amanzoe (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the first race of the day, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Curtain Raiser Classified S.
The Ladies' Team representative said, “The whole day has just been amazing and there has been good team morale. It's an honour to be picked to represent the girls and we have given it our best shot. We thought we would have a really good chance today and we have come second, so everyone has done themselves proud. We have won three races and done well.
“I have loved the team side of it, too, it adds a different dimension. To get the chance to ride with some famous and well-known jockeys when you never would normally–Emma-Jayne Wilson, who is a sensation in Canada, Kerrin McEvoy, Christophe Lemaire. And to get my first winner at Ascot, on a Saturday–I am loving it.”
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