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Ireland repeat Shergar success |
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9 August 2010 |
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The Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Shergar Cup, the world's premier international jockeys' challenge, drew a crowd of almost 30,000 to Ascot Racecourse in the UK on Saturday.
They all gathered to see the Ireland team, captained by the in-form Richard Hughes, retain the title they took with style last year.
The unique event is contested by 12 top international riders, in four teams, representing Ireland, Europe, Great Britain and the Rest of the World, and is decided on a points basis over six races.
The Dubai Duty Free Silver Saddle is awarded to the jockey with the highest points total, while the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the day, judged by former champion jockey Joe Mercer and English and Irish Derby winner John Reid, is presented for the best riding performance.
Before the action on the track got under way however, the jockeys were presented to Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin, as part of an elaborate opening ceremony in the winner's enclosure, which included a performance by official event cheerleaders.
After five exciting races, the Irish team of Hughes, Pat Smullen and Fran Berry held a slender five point lead which was eradicated by Olivier Peslier's victory on Gramercy for Europe, in the concluding Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.
However, second placing on Gene Autry gave Berry the silver saddle as the meeting's most successful jockey, and enabled the Irishmen to maintain an eight-point gap over Europe and keep the title.
"I'm probably the happiest man ever to come second," said Berry who stepped smoothly into Michael Kinane's boots as the first jockey next to John Oxx.
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Source: beta.thehindu.com |
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