‘Now is the time to move away' – Ascot drops Ladies' Team from Shergar Cup for new Asia squad
ASCOT bosses have dropped the famous Ladies' Team from the Shergar Cup - and replaced it with a squad from Asia.
Chiefs said 'now is the time to move away' from having a separate side for women.
1
Jockey Hayley Turner (right) sprays team-mate Emma-Jayne Wilson after the now-defunct Girls Team win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot
Credit: Alamy
Trailblazing jockey Hollie Doyle said the decision was a 'nice reminder' that men and women compete on equal terms in racing.
The popular Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is one of Ascot's biggest meetings and this year's renewal on August 9 will have £500,000 up for grabs.
Turner, who
But it's all change for 2025, with the ladies' team axed and a new Asian contingent in its place.
Japanese jockey Ryusei Sakai will be the 'star attraction' thanks to his association with Forever Young, the world's highest-rated horse.
He will be joined by Mirai Iwata, dubbed the 'rising star' of Japan's jockey league, while Suraj Narredu from India will captain the team.
They will wear red silks, replacing the pink of the ladies.
Most read in Horse Racing
Doyle will captain the Great Britain and Ireland squad, while there will also be teams from Europe and the Rest of the World.
Doyle, who recently became Britain's most successful female jockey, said: "The Ladies' Team over the years has had great success, but the new changes that have been made, which include integrating the male and female jockeys on the same team, is a nice reminder that we as jockeys complete on a level playing field internationally."
While Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said: "We're pleased to have secured top talent from across the world to compete at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with at least eight different countries set to be represented already.
"We feel now is the time to move away from a ladies-only team, and this new evolution of the format keeps the event fresh."
FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org
.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare –
Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
14 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United assistant manager Daire Doyle confident squad is strong enough to handle a heavy schedule
The SSE Airtricity League clubs went into the hat alongside the first-round winners at the Sport Ireland campus in Abbotstown on Thursday and with three teams left in the pot it looked like Drogheda and the team they beat in last year's final, Derry City, might be set for an immediate rematch. However, that proved not to be the case, the Drogs got the home draw they craved and Leinster Senior League outfit Crumlin - the last team to be pulled out of the hat - will be the visitors to Sullivan & Lambe Park next month. The tie will take place the week before Drogheda play the first leg of their Uefa Conference League tie - subject to the club being permitted to take their place in that competition - but Doyle doesn't seem too concerned about a potential fixture pile-up. 'I don't think having the FAI Cup will test our resources,' he said. 'We play a league match on July 4 and we don't play the following week and then the cup match is fixed for the 18th. So it's before that run of games (around the Uefa Conference League) and we will be fine as regards bodies. 'We are hoping that we can go well in the cup again. Winning it last year has been huge for the club. The strong finish we had to last season gave us momentum that we carried into this year and it put belief into the group that we have. A lot of the lads that played in the cup final are still with us.' As for the challenge posed by Crumlin, Doyle is very familiar with the Leinster Senior League as his son Jack plays for Home Farm and he feels Drogheda could be found wanting if they under-estimate the challenge Crumlin will bring. 'I think when you look at it on paper, Crumlin are a strong side and they've had some good runs in the cup in the last couple of years and they've a lot of experience there. 'They're certainly a team we won't be taking lightly and it's a potential banana skin if you don't give it your full attention and do your homework, but we're delighted that we've been drawn at home.' With that tie more than a month away, though, all thoughts of another cup run have been parked as Drogheda are now preparing for a return to league duties, starting with a trip to face St Patrick's Athletic this Friday. ADVERTISEMENT 'We've a busy run of Friday/Monday games coming up and I don't think our attentions can get away from that, so we have to focus on that and see what happens after,' said Doyle. 'It's about getting back on the pitch and focusing on the next game against St Pat's. 'We've picked up some good points on the first few months and got ourselves into a good position and the challenge for us for the rest of the season is to maintain that and push on and continue to put in them performances and if we can do that then we should be in a good position come the end of the season.'
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Blessed' – Snooker icon reveals new business venture after becoming third world champ to take residency in Hong Kong
SNOOKER star Neil Robertson has revealed he has taken up residency in Hong Kong. The 2010 world champion has been based in Cambridge with his Norwegian 3 Neil Robertson has revealed why he has moved to Hong Kong Credit: Alamy 3 He becomes the third snooker legend to have a place in Hong Kong Credit: Alamy But on his Asian switch, The Aussie continued in a post written on Chinese social media site Weibo: "This is not only a significant moment for me personally, but also an honour for our entire family. "Hong Kong has always been my blessed land. "I have achieved many great successes here and have forged a deep friendship with this city. READ MORE IN SNOOKER 'This identity will make it easier for me to travel to Hong Kong more frequently and expand business cooperation. "Regarding future development plans in Hong Kong, I have made full preparations and will share them with you soon.' Robertson has followed in The trio have moved following the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, which aims to attract "highly skilled or talented persons" to Hong Kong to boost the economy. Most read in Snooker BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK O'Sullivan's residency was confirmed in 2019 and The world No1 is dating Hong Kong figure skater and TV presenter 3 Robertson's wife Mille and their kids have residency cards too Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Templegate's Derby tip: ‘He's extremely impressive and has way more to come' – My NAP on a huge day at Epsom
TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive Saturday of racing confident of smashing the bookies. The big race of the day - the year, even - is the Derby and 19 runners go to post for the 3.30 live on ITV1 - although Our man goes through every single runner and reveals his 1-2-3-4 Derby prediction in his brilliant You'll find all his picks below, so grab yourself a free bet offer and back a horse simply by clicking their odds. PRIDE OF ARRAS (3.30 Epsom, nap) He was extremely impressive when winning the Dante at York last time on just his second outing. That was his first start for nine months and he burst through the line to suggest this longer trip will be fine. His high draw could be tricky but not impossible and he has more to come. DOCKLANDS (1.35 Epsom, nb) He has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. VALVANO (4.15 Epsom, treble) He showed lots of promise last season and returned with a solid fourth at Goodwood last time. He should improve for that fitness wise and he handles any ground. Most read in Horse Racing Templegate's TV verdicts EPSOM 1.00 IF it comes up properly soft by racetime, Sparks Fly would be a cracking bet given her superb record in testing conditions. But assuming it's good to soft or quicker, ROYAL DRESS is the one to be on. She was an unlucky third in this last year before striking in this grade at The Curragh. She has since held her own in better races including when third at York last time. William Buick is an eyecatching booking too. Bermuda Longtail looked promising when beaten half a length in a York Listed contest last month and has much more to come. She gets plenty of weight for age too. Skellet progressed last season and is another who should be capable of better for Ralph Beckett. 1.35 DOCKLANDS has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. Persica didn't fire in the Lockinge last time but took a Newmarket Group 3 easily enough on comeback and has won here before. Ryan Moore's a good booking and he's a big threat. Royal Playwright gets the best part of a stone from his older rivals and didn't get the run of the race in the Dante last time. He could take a major step forward here. Royal Dubai wasn't disgraced at Ascot last time and looks the pick of the bigger prices. 2.10 AGAINST THE WIND could be the answer to this tricky puzzle. He has plenty of weight but has been running well with a Thirsk win followed by a fine York third last time. He gets away quickly so should be suited by this track. Naana's Sparkle ran a nice race at Goodwood last time when third and showed lots of pace. He looks on a fair mark. Ruby's Profit got the better of Mademoiselle in that race and they should both be right at home here too after showing a lot of boot. Tees Aggregates saves his best for Catterick so should love Epsom which is another tricky track. He may not be quite good enough to win but could be an each-way bet if you can get extra places. Blinky won a couple on the all-weather before a decent third at Chester last time. A repeat of that would put him in the place picture from what should be an ideal draw. 2.45 JER BATT always faced a tough task from a wide draw at Chester last time yet still ran a good race. He has some fine handicap form over this trip yet is still on a fair weight and the booking of Oisin Murphy is a plus. He'll be right there. Clarendon House is quirky but has enough quality to figure if he fancies it. He went well in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket last time. Last year's winner Dream Composer was also badly drawn at Chester latest but looked much better when second at Pontefract on comeback. He can figure again. Jm Jungle has been placed in hot York handicaps on his past two outings. He likes this trip and is a quick starter so has every chance. Vintage Clarets showed positive signs on the Knavesmire latest and is in the each-way picture too. 3.30 PRIDE OF ARRAS was a brilliant Dante winner at York and has more to come. French raider Midak looks overpriced, while Lambourn would have a say if the rain comes. And you never rule out Ryan Moore on Delacroix , especially as the jockey was simply brilliant on Minnie Hauk in the Oaks. Read my Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
