Left to right: Marie Velon, Hayley Turner and Joanna Mason. (JTW Equine Images)
“An honour to be on Hayley’s team”
By Jack and Tom Williams
ASCOT, U.K.—Cricket has The Hundred. Football has Futsal.
And Golf has probably a million different competitions and prizes, some of which are causing quite a scene.
And there were scenes at Ascot as the team of Hayley Turner, Joanna Mason and Marie Velon made it 3 wins out of the last 4 renewals of the Shergar Cup as the Ladies topped the table in the 2024 edition.
Seeing off teams such as Europe (Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, Alberto Sanna and Jose-Luis Borrego), Rest Of The World (Rachel King, Nanako Fujita and Rachel Venniker) and Great Britain & Ireland (Tadhg O’Shea, Seamie Heffernan & Billy Loughnane), the Ladies reached a final score of 71 points, 11 more than Europe, 13 more than the Rest Of The World and 16 more than Great Britain 7 Ireland could muster.
It was a double case to celebrate as Hayley Turner picked up the Silver Saddle for the leading rider with a total of 35 points, the fact she was the only rider to score 2 winners on the day was enough to split her from Rachel Venniker, who also finished on 35 points.
A 1-2 in the finale crowned victory for the team, with New Image seeing off Yantarni in a pulsating finish to the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile.
While Yantarni had been at the head of affairs for most of the trip, a wayward hanging to the centre of the track allowed their rival to pick their pocket on the line, much to the dismay of the backers of the former.
It need not matter towards the end result, but Hayley was reflective upon securing both the team and individual victories on the day.
“It’s so nice. I’ve got three Silver Saddles now!”
“Alistair Haggis was a big inspiration for getting the girls involved (in the Shergar Cup Meeting and format), so it means a lot”.
“All my family are here today, so there will be a big celebration tonight!”
Despite being pipped into second in the last, Joanna Mason was very grateful to have been involved in the meeting, having filled in as a replacement at the last minute for regular competitor Saffie Osborne.
“We knew going into the last race our only chance was to get a winner and a second, so we were determined to do so.”
“I’ve absolutely loved it, I loved it two years ago when I got the call-up and loved it again today.”
“I’m really happy!”
Marie Velon, who scored 22 points towards her tallies, stated it was “an honour to be on her team”, referring to her captain and Silver saddle winner.
Insanity Poignant Winner in Shergar Cup Challenge
Elsewhere on the day, Rachel King won the Shergar Cup Challenge on Insanity, which was a poignant winner as she used to work for the winning trainer in Alan King before heading off Down Under.
She had to ask for everything from the son of Nathaniel, but eventually managed to fend off Dream Harder, a persistent challenger, to which she later said it was “a huge honour” to be present at the meeting.
“To get a ride for Alan was very special and to get a winner is even better”
“Alan said he doesn’t find a huge amount off the bridle, so try to be as patient as possible, but credit to him, he was tough when he had to be.”
“I just hope it will make the news in Australia!”
The winning trainer was full of praise for his former pupil, saying she had “given the horse a lovely ride”.
“He doesn’t want is to hit the front too soon, but kept progressing, and he’s handling this ground, but he would be better with juice in the ground”.
“He just may be one for the November Handicap (at Doncaster).”
Alan King later commented that the winner was being considered for Royal Ascot next season.
Jarraaf Impresses in the Shergar Cup Sprint
Billy Loughnane was aboard the most visually impressive winner of the day when striking about the monstrous Jarraaf in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint, grinding his way to the lead and steadily starting to draw away from his rivals to win by just shy of 3 lengths.
It was a performance that left people wondering if he needed to go to Pattern Class races very shortly, especially as his mark of 95 looks very lenient.
Having an Ascot victory on his record proved vital for experience, and it made a first victory for his pilot Billy Loughnane even sweeter, when he spoke to media afterwards.
“He has a lot of talent,”
“We went a strong gallop into a strong enough wind, so I was keen to get cover really”.
“I wanted him to have a nice experience while doing the job, although I would like to see him at seven on an easier track”.
“He is a horse who is definitely going places!”
Ranch Hand Fights for Win in Shergar Cup Stayers
Eventual leading rider Hayley Turner struck early on in the meeting when Ranch Hand managed to bring to a close a 3 year wait for their next visit to the winner’s enclosure in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers.
Beamish and the eventual winner were locked in combat for most of the home straight, with loyal veteran The Grand Visir starting to motor home in flying fashion near the end of the two-mile trip.
“What a tough horse”, Hayley stated afterwards.
He got headed, battled back, and stayed very well.”
Trainer Andrew Balding indicated some high-profile targets were on the horizon for the winner, with a major Handicap at Newmarket in October under consideration.
“The Cesarewitch is very much an option, as he likes Newmarket”.
“I think it’s the right race now”.
Holkham Bay Perfect Trip in Holkham Bay
William Knight’s charge Holkham Bay is very much on the up, and he got Rachel Venniker off to a flyer on the day, the South African jockey making a perfect start to proceedings by taking the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash over five furlongs in commanding style.
Having won last time out at York, it was business as usual for the horse as he scooted away from a bunch finish for the minor places buy just over two and a quarter lengths.
The winning jockey stated afterwards that “Everything worked out perfectly” on her mount, except that “It was almost hard to pull him up, he won so well!”
“This is a beautiful track, to ride the first winner is more than I could have hoped for, I’m so proud!”
The winning trainer added that “It just worked out perfectly that that horse came on the outside and she was just able to get a tow off them”.
“He was impressive there over the five furlongs!”
I think he’s got to be that sort of Wokingham, Stewards’ Cup type horse, although the owner keeps telling me we should go for the Portland next!”
“He’s been telling me that for three months… it might be a good option for him!”
Going Remote Takes Cup Classic
Going Remote took the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic under Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, which left Europe on the verge of a first victory for the team overall since 2014, only for the Ladies to come flying through and steal the win from under their noses in the finale.
The champagne flowed profusely in the winner’s enclosure afterwards as the Ladies’ celebrated their victory. And given their form, it will certainly take a good team to unship them from the top of the table.
The question really is simple – when will you be coming?
