GB & Ireland lead the way at Ascot to take the Shergar Cup
Great Britain and Ireland dominated the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot, winning five of the eight races to claim the trophy for the first time since 2017.
The home team, who finished over 50 points clear of defending champions the Ladies in second, had the multi-team event wrapped up before the last – but the race for the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle awarded to the leading rider went right down to the wire.
Jamie Spencer had earlier ridden a double on the card, but was matched by team-mate Neil Callan, who only had to finish in the points in the finale but ended the day in style by scoring aboard Adaay In Asia to add to his earlier victory aboard Orbaan.
Team captain Spencer said: “Everyone is happy and it was good fun. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. It has been a good day.
“I looked at the paper last night and thought we had some good chances. Sometimes it doesn’t materialise like that, but Themaxwecan was an outsider yesterday evening and he ended up being a 9-1 chance.
“The Shergar Cup has been going 20-odd years, so if it has been going that long, it generally works. If it doesn’t, it won’t last that long.
“It is a family day out. Maybe it is not for the purist, but they put good prize money on and if the owners are happy they are getting paid well to run their horses.
“So, what more can you want. The jockeys like it – it is just a nice day at work.”