Berry hits home run at Ascot

FRAN BERRY secured a ‘home win’ for Great Britain & Ireland when driving Golden Apollo to victory in the finale at Ascot’s Shergar Cup.

With just one race – the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint – of the team jockeys’ challenge left, Great Britain & Ireland, the Rest Of The World and Europe could all win.

But Berry (above), riding freelance after his split from boss Ralph Beckett in June, got the upper hand close to home on the Tim Easterby-trained three-year-old to land the prize for his team – and the top jockey’s Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle for himself.

“Things have been going very well as a freelance but you need high-profile days – it’s all about riding winners on Saturdays,” said Berry, who earlier won the Shergar Cup Challenge on Mick Quinn-trained Great Hall.

Great Britain & Ireland captain Jamie Spencer won his 2,000th British race when Stake Acclaim collared Sir Robert Cheval at the end for the opening Shergar Cup Dash.