Asia Team triumph at DDF Shergar Cup
Asia posted two victories on the card, with Narredu guiding Fireblade to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers and Sakai scoring on promising three-year-old Prince Of India in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.
Iwata delivered a vital contribution as on runner-up Cerulean Bay in the closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, leaving Asia with a final points total of 68 one point ahead of Europe with Great Britain & Ireland in third with 62 points and Rest of the World in fourth with 55 points.
It was the first time since 2014 a team has won the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by a single point after Europe denied the Ladies.
Narredu, Asia's team captain, said: 'I am absolutely delighted. After my winner, to win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake. I know this is a new team that was introduced this year and I am sure in future they will be a force to be reckoned with.
'The Asia team deserves to get recognition and I am proud to captain the team. It was fabulous for us to get two winners and some place points from the six races. We all enjoyed ourselves and it is a big deal to have come. It will be big back home in India.
'I would love to come again, every year! I am open. I am staying in Britain for three more weeks to ride out for a few trainers, primarily Marco Botti, before I head home. It is a very short time, but I hope I can pick up a few rides.
'I am glad to have made full use of the opportunity I was given. It is always good to learn, explore and experience things like this. I am always open to do that.'
To cap a fantastic Ascot debut Narredu was also awarded the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day judged by Dubai Duty Free guest, former Derby winning jockey John Reid, for his win on the Dylan Cunha-trained Fireblade.
Speaking to a raceday crowd of more than 20,000 at the opening ceremony Ramesh Cidambi Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, title sponsor of the Shergar Cup since 2006, said, 'We are delighted to support the further evolution of this unique event and the introduction of the Asia Team which will undoubtedly add to the global appeal of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.'
Ramesh Cidambi was joined for the presentation of the coveted Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, Sinead El Sibai Senior Vice President – Marketing, Mona Al Ali Senior Vice President – HR and Salim Dahman Senior Manager – Marketing.
In all eight of the 12 riders comprising the four teams were making their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debuts and included Katie Davis, multiple Stakes winning jockey in the USA Delphine Santiago, France's all-time leading female jockey, and Dario Di Tocco dual champion jockey in his native Italy.
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Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Asia Team triumph at DDF Shergar Cup
The 2025 edition of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday produced one of the most competitive renewals in recent years with the newly-created Asia Team comprising Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata edging out Europe by one point in a thrilling conclusion to the international jockeys' competition. Asia posted two victories on the card, with Narredu guiding Fireblade to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers and Sakai scoring on promising three-year-old Prince Of India in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint. Iwata delivered a vital contribution as on runner-up Cerulean Bay in the closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, leaving Asia with a final points total of 68 one point ahead of Europe with Great Britain & Ireland in third with 62 points and Rest of the World in fourth with 55 points. It was the first time since 2014 a team has won the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by a single point after Europe denied the Ladies. Narredu, Asia's team captain, said: 'I am absolutely delighted. After my winner, to win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake. I know this is a new team that was introduced this year and I am sure in future they will be a force to be reckoned with. 'The Asia team deserves to get recognition and I am proud to captain the team. It was fabulous for us to get two winners and some place points from the six races. We all enjoyed ourselves and it is a big deal to have come. It will be big back home in India. 'I would love to come again, every year! I am open. I am staying in Britain for three more weeks to ride out for a few trainers, primarily Marco Botti, before I head home. It is a very short time, but I hope I can pick up a few rides. 'I am glad to have made full use of the opportunity I was given. It is always good to learn, explore and experience things like this. I am always open to do that.' To cap a fantastic Ascot debut Narredu was also awarded the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day judged by Dubai Duty Free guest, former Derby winning jockey John Reid, for his win on the Dylan Cunha-trained Fireblade. Speaking to a raceday crowd of more than 20,000 at the opening ceremony Ramesh Cidambi Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, title sponsor of the Shergar Cup since 2006, said, 'We are delighted to support the further evolution of this unique event and the introduction of the Asia Team which will undoubtedly add to the global appeal of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.' Ramesh Cidambi was joined for the presentation of the coveted Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, Sinead El Sibai Senior Vice President – Marketing, Mona Al Ali Senior Vice President – HR and Salim Dahman Senior Manager – Marketing. In all eight of the 12 riders comprising the four teams were making their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debuts and included Katie Davis, multiple Stakes winning jockey in the USA Delphine Santiago, France's all-time leading female jockey, and Dario Di Tocco dual champion jockey in his native Italy.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
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Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Suraj Narredu's Ascot dream becomes a reality in Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup
It was while watching a grainy video clip of Frankie Dettori's 'Magnificent 7', that unforgettable day in 1996 when the Italian superstar rode seven winners from seven rides at Ascot, that first lit the spark in a young Suraj Narredu. At the time, Narredu was just a teenager growing up in an Indian family steeped in racing tradition. But watching Dettori's feat didn't just fuel a boy's dream; it set him on a course that would forever change his life. 'That day changed everything for me,' Suraj told Khaleej Times from Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England. 'To see one rider dominate at the highest level, at a place like Ascot, triggered something in me. That's the moment I decided I wanted to be a jockey.' Fast forward to 2025, and Narredu, now 40 years old and India's most decorated active jockey, has returned to Ascot to lead the newly introduced Asia Team at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, the world's premier international jockeys' competition. Launched in 2000, the Shergar Cup, supported by its title sponsor since the beginning, features four teams of three riders each representing Asia, Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and the Rest of the World. The riders will compete individually over six races to score points, with the highest scoring team winning a share of the total purse of £500,000. While many stories this week will also focus on top riders like British sensation Hollie Doyle or ten-time Swedish champion jockey Per-Anders, Suraj's emotional return to the racecourse where he once cheered his uncle, Malesh Narredu, from the stands, is at the heart of the 2025 Shergar Cup. With over 2,400 wins and 110 Indian Classic victories, Suraj has nothing left to prove at home in India, but at Ascot, among world-class peers, he sees a platform to elevate not just himself, but Indian racing as a whole onto the international stage. 'This isn't just about me ticking off a dream,' he says. 'It's about putting India on the global map. I want the racing world to sit up and take notice of Indian jockeys and the level of talent and dedication we have.' Suraj's teammates include Japan's Ryusei Sakai and fellow countryman Mirai Iwata, winner of the 2023 World All-Star Jockeys title. 'I've met both of them; they're amazing guys,' says Suraj. 'We connected immediately. We were sharing stories about our countries' racing scenes. It's incredible how much respect there is between us.' As for preparation, Suraj says his build-up has been razor-focused. 'From the moment I knew I was invited, my whole life pivoted to preparing for this,' he said. 'Gym sessions got longer, and I cut back on racing in India to avoid injury. Competing here means you're up against the best; there's no place to hide. It's no place to be anything but your fittest, sharpest self.' The sheer scale and history of Ascot, which was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, isn't lost on him either. 'Riding at Ascot is like a cricketer walking out at Lord's or a tennis player stepping onto Centre Court at Wimbledon,' he says. 'This is hallowed ground. This is my Lord's, my Wimbledon.' When asked what a victory would mean, Narredu doesn't pause; the answer comes with the conviction of someone who's chased this Ascot dream for 16 long years. 'It would be the dream fully realised,' he says. 'But more than that, it would be a statement: that Indian jockeys belong on this stage. I hope it inspires young riders back home to chase that same dream I had watching Frankie.' Suraj's Asia Team faces three formidable rivals. Great Britain & Ireland is led by Hollie Doyle, joined by Robbie Dolan and Joanna Mason. Europe is captained by Per-Anders Gråberg, with Delphine Santiago and Darrio Di Tocco completing the trio. The Rest of the World team, led by Karis Teetan, includes Aussie star Hugh Bowman and debutante Katie Davis. a US stakes-winning jockey who recently featured in Netflix's Race for the Crown. For Dubai Duty Free the event is about elevating global talent and celebrating diversity. 'We are delighted to support this further step in the development of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, which continues to evolve to reflect our shared values and the spirit of top international competition: said Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi. 'We very much look forward to seeing how this year's competition plays out and to welcoming the jockeys at one of the world's greatest horseracing venues, particularly those making their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debuts.' Shergar Cup Team Line‑Up (2025) Team Europe Per‑Anders Gråberg (Sweden, captain) Dario Di Tocco (Italy) Delphine Santiago (France) Great Britain & Ireland Hollie Doyle (Great Britain, captain) Robbie Dolan (Ireland) Joanna Mason (Great Britain & Ireland) Asia (new for 2025) Suraj Narredu (India, captain) Ryusei Sakai (Japan) Mirai Iwata (Japan) Rest of the World (ROW) Karis Teetan (Mauritius, captain) Hugh Bowman (Australia) Katie Davis (USA) - making her Shergar Cup debut
