Joe McConnell
The women’s team retained their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup title after claiming a double in the final leg of a thrilling contest at Ascot.
Hayley Turner consolidated her position as the undisputed queen of the Shergar Cup, guiding her ladies’ team to their third success at Ascot in five years and also taking her third Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle award for best rider.
In her 17th appearance at this unique event, Turner edged out teammate Joanna Mason in the final race, with New Image (100/30 favourites) beating Yantarni in the mile to secure the title by 11 points over Europe (71-60).
That last-gasp success took Turner level with South African Rachel Venniker on 35 points for the leading jockey title, but she took first place overall in the standings.
“Alistair Haggis was actually the reason the girls started in the Shergar Cup teams. When I started there were two teams and Alistair suggested that each team should have a girl, so Emma-Jayne (Wilson) represented the rest of the world and I represented Great Britain and Ireland and it’s just grown from there,” Turner said.
“It’s fantastic. Obviously Alistair is no longer with us, but he played a key role in all the Shergar Cup wins I’ve had.
Hayley Turner (left) celebrates the women’s team’s victory with Joanna Mason (center) and Marie Velon
“I think it helps that trainers don’t get to choose whether or not to ride their horses, I end up getting better rides than I usually get and it just shows that it’s the animals that get you there and not just the riders. My whole family is here, it’s going to be a big party tonight.”
Turner had earlier produced a perfect run in the lead on Andrew Balding’s Ranch Hand (13/2), who had been overtaken by Beamish and Seamie Heffernan in the Stayers race before rallying to win by a head.
Turner said: “The horse is very tough, to be honest. It’s been very good for Kingsclere Racing Club as I had a winner for them last week too and they’re always strong, now they’ll have a nice afternoon.”
Although the female trio of Turner, Mason and French Group One-winning jockey Marie Velon took the team prize, they were not the only riders in action, with the first jockeys’ division at 50-50.
Venniker announces himself on British soil
Rachel Venniker got the Rest of World team off to a perfect start with a stylish win at Holkham Bay in the opening race at Ascot.
Venniker is a stable jockey in her native South Africa for former British champion Michael ‘Muis’ Roberts and holds the distinction of being the only professional female rider in her home country.
He showed great brilliance in the saddle, biding his time for William Knight’s four-year-old, who was the 4/1 favourite.
Holkham Bay tears up Rachel Venniker
Kylian appeared to be making good progress with just over a furlong to go, but when Venniker pressed the button the race was over, with a lead of two and three-quarter lengths and a total of 15 points.
Kylian came second to Billy Loughnane, ahead of Dream Composer and Tadhg O’Shea, both representing Great Britain and Ireland.
Venniker said: “He gave it his all. Everything worked out perfectly. As soon as I asked him the question he changed his leg and I thought ‘they’ll never get me now’.
“I’m so proud to have won a race here. What an amazing feeling. It’s great to have everyone, I’m over the moon. You make South Africa proud and you make the boss proud.”
Knight added of the winner: “The owner here keeps telling me we should go for Portland. [at Doncaster] next – he’s been telling me for three months – and it could be a good option for him. I think he likes those flat tracks. I think he’s one of those improving sprinters, I hope.”
Rachel King teamed up with her former boss Alan King to win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge aboard Insanity, giving the rest of the world a second winner.
King, who now lives in Australia, had a strong horse when he took her into the lead at 9/2, but he was determined to beat Dream Harder (Europe) by a head.
“It’s a huge honor to be here and to have Alan get a ride was really special, but to have a winner is even better,” said Rachel King.
The coach explained that the couple has a very ancient history.
Madness Comes Home
“I love it when a plan works! I haven’t been a big fan of the Shergar Cup in the past, but I thought it was the perfect match, and catching Rachel on Thursday was fantastic,” said Alan King.
“I think her last race for me was 16 years ago in a ladies’ steeplechase in Ludlow. She was third, but what I remember is I couldn’t get the weight sheet out! She was 11st 5lb or something, and there’s nothing about her. But she’s lovely. It’s nice to see her, I haven’t seen her for a long time. We had a lovely chat at Olly Murphy’s wedding yesterday.”
Going Remote Secures European Winner
Loughnane is just 18 and demonstrated his undoubted class as a star of the future by winning from Owen Burrows’ Jarraaf (5/6 favourite) in the Sprint.
“It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of. Hayley’s been doing it for a long time; I’m only 18 and she’s been doing it for 17 years, it’s her job, as she says, but I’m going to try to take it off her!” she said.
“I’m very fortunate. I’m in a great position with the trainers and owners that I ride for and it’s great to be a part of that.”
Going Remote (12/1) was the only winner for Europe under Bauyrzhan Murzabayev in the Classic.
