When the dust settled at Ascot on Saturday, the Ladies Team had eked out a victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for a fifth time since a female team was first introduced in 2012.
Consisting of Hayley Turner, who had earned her third Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Award, Marie Velon, and Joanna Mason, the Ladies Team edged Team Europe 71 points to 60. Team Rest of the World was third with 58 points and Team Great Britain/Ireland finished fourth on 55 points. Turner and Mason ran one-two aboard New Image (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Yantarni (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), respectively, in the final race, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, giving the Ladies Team the victory. Turner also road Ranch Hand (GB) (Dunaden {Fr}) to score in the day's second race, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers.
The most successful jockey in the history of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, Turner now has 11 winners spread across 17 appearances and a total of 357 points throughout that run. She just nipped Rachel Venniker (Team RotW) for the title, as both had 35 points at the end of the day, but Turner earned the Silver Saddle on countback. She had previously earned titles in 2018/2019.
Turner said, “It's so nice. I've got three Silver Saddles now and Alistair Haggis was a big inspiration for getting the girls involved in the Shergar Cup, so it means a lot.
“Alistair Haggis was actually the reason that the girls started on the Shergar Cup teams. When I started there were two teams and Alistair suggested that each team had a girl, so Emma-Jayne [Watson] represented the Rest of the World and I represented Great Britain and Ireland. Since then, it has just snowballed. Obviously, Alistair is not with us now but he played a key part in all the Shergar Cup victories I've had.
“It's always such a fun event. It's great as everyone gets involved and it's a really light, fun atmosphere. It's great and something a bit different. The team was so much fun. I really enjoyed their company and everyone rode so well. We've got wristbands for the concert as well–I probably won't be getting home early tonight!”
Mason said, “It's brilliant to be part of the winning team. Obviously, Hayley has had a fantastic day, riding two winners. It's something a bit different, but the girls have come out on top and have actually won a lot of the races today, which just shows that stereotypes are going out the window and women jockeys are coming to the fore. It's a brilliant day, and nice to be in a team and have such good camaraderie.”
Velon said, “It's such an honour to be here on the Ladies team and I'm so happy that we have won again. It's wonderful for me.”
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