Mosse and Europe claim Shergar success
Gerald Mosse took the starring role on Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup day at Ascot when leading his European team to victory as well as collecting the Silver Saddle trophy for leading rider.
Despite damp conditions and unseasonably cold weather for the height of summer, over 33,000 turned out to enjoy the annual four-team jockeys’ competition which drew together riders from across the globe.
Even the world’s winning-most riders – Californian Russell Baze and South American Jorge Ricardo with over 10,000 wins apiece – made an appearance, and their Rest of the World team made an encouraging start as captain Yutaka Take claimed the first two races.
But Europe fought back and a double for Mosse ensured they secured victory with 94 points to Rest of the World’s 57, with Great Britain in third on 54 and Ireland bringing up the rear on 44.
“It has honestly been a great day, a great meeting and it has been a pleasure to be here,” said Mosse.
The Hong Kong-based rider, who saw off Take to take the Silver Saddle by 50 points to 37, got into the winning groove as he guided Walter Swinburn’s 7-2 favourite Shifting Star to a hat-trick of wins in the Porthault Shergar Cup Sprint.
He said: “He travelled well early on but I didn’t want to ask him to do too much in the early part of the race. I took my time and he is a lovely horse.
“I am very happy to win for Walter as he is a very good friend.”
He added: “I will be over here for six months next summer, and I hope to get some good European support.”
Mosse went on to take the closing Les Ambassadeurs Club Shergar Cup Mile on Perfect Star (4-1), while teammate Mirco Demuro – who made the trip from Italy - ensured 16-1 chance Strategic Mount gained a repeat success in the Michael Page International Shergar Cup Challenge.
Hayley Turner was in charge of the British contingent and she partnered their only winner of the afternoon when coming from the clouds aboard Gee Dee Nen (5-1) to nail 100-30 favourite Bogside Theatre in the Carvill Shergar Cup Stayers.
Turner said: “Mark Tompkins said to ride him like that and to just get there on the line.
“They went a strong gallop, which was ideal. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get there, but in the end he picked up really well.”
Take got his Rest of the World team off to a flying start in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with a pillar-to-post success aboard David Nicholls’ 3-1 joint favourite Strike Up The Band.
Take said: “We were quite confident as the horse has been second here the last twice and Frankie Dettori told me he has a lot of speed.”
Nicholls, speaking from Haydock, said: “He has come up against a couple of good horses recently so he deserved to win, and Yutaka gave him a great ride.”
American legend Baze fell foul of the stewards in that opening race when picking up a controversial four-day ban (25-28 August) for using his whip with excessive frequency and without time to respond on sixth-placed Mac Gille Eoin.
However, the 50-year-old enjoyed the day, and said: “I have had a blast.
“It has been quite a challenge as it is different to what I am used to. I was just getting the hang of it but sadly it’s all over.
“I can’t wait to come back and I’ve had a tremendous time.”
Take also stole the show in the Titanic Quarter Shergar Cup Distaff as the Japanese jockey swept from last to first aboard Eoghan O’Neill’s Nans Joy.
The filly has disappointed since winning a Listed race in Germany early in the summer but came good as Take charged down the outside on the 7-1 chance to collect by a length and a half.
O’Neill said: “I first met Yutaka 18 years ago when I was working in America and he came across to ride.
“I was delighted to draw him to ride for me and he is dynamite.
“He has great hands, settled her nicely and she finished her race well. It wasn’t the plan to come wide but he said they went very fast and he did the right thing.”
