Ascot Saturday – Shergar Cup

THE Shergar Cup took centre stage on an otherwise quiet weekend for quality racing in Britain last Saturday.

It was the Great Britain and Ireland Team who took the honours on a day when all eight races fell either to the team comprising Neil Callan, Jamie Spencer, Kieran Shoemark and Danny Tudhope, or the Ladies team of Jo Mason, Hayley Turner, Emma Jayne Wilson, and Nicola Currie.

Callan was the most successful jockey, scoring on Orbaan (David O’Meara) in the seven-furlong Classified Stakes and doubling his tally when Adaay In Asia (Harry Dunlop) took the closing sprint to help him edge out team-mate Jamie Spencer on points.

Both horses had been successful at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on their previous starts.

Collecting the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle for leading rider, Callan was keen to focus on the positives of an event which is popular with families and irregular racegoers, if not with the purists, and he was most vocal in his support for the concept.

“There is nothing to dislike about the Shergar Cup - it is brilliant. There is great prize money and Ascot makes it a family event to come and watch. It is a great day at our premier track and the fields are competitive.

Next generation

“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.”

“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.”

There was also an award for ride of the day, which went to Jo Mason for her winning ride aboard the William Haggas-trained Amanzoe in the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Curtain Raiser Classified Stakes – one of three wins on the day for the Ladies team.

“It was an honour to ride for Mr Haggas and a good horse makes it a lot easier,” said Mason. “I just had to really steer her to victory, all the hard work has been done at home. It was a thrill to ride a good filly like her.

“I was very apprehensive about this beforehand. I was not sure what to expect but it has been an absolutely brilliant day and I have loved every minute of it. I would love to do it again.

The other winners on the card were Manaccan (John Ryan/Hayley Turner) in the Shergar Cup Dash, Themaxwecan (Charlie & Mark Johnson/Jamie Spencer) in the Shergar Cup Stayers, Pride Of Priory (William Haggas/Kieran Shoemark) in the Shergar Cup Challenge, Jungle Cove (Jessie Harrington/Emma-Jayne Wilson) in the Shergar Cup Mile, and Hamaki (William Haggas/Jamie Spencer) in the Shergar Cup Mile.

As the most successful trainer with three winners, Haggas received an award of £12,500 with 80% going to Haggas, and 20% of the prize shared by stable staff at the Somerville Lodge yard.

Result - Team Competition

Result - Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle