Suraj Narredu emulates 'hero' Frankie Dettori at Ascot with celebratory flying dismount
A jockey who was inspired to get into horse racing by Frankie Dettori has emulated him by starring at Ascot.
Suraj Narredu watched the sporting celebrity ride all seven winners around the track in 1996 - and wanted to try his luck in the saddle.
The 40-year-old learned his trade and has since become one of India's most decorated riders, reaching 1,000 wins by the age of 25 – and notched his 2,000th in 2019.
Like Dettori, Narredu has competed all over the world, in places like Dubai, Australia and the USA.
But it was one of his most special career moments when he was called up to captain Team Asia at the Shergar Cup, an event around the circuit where Dettori made worldwide headlines.
As well as the 'Magnificent Seven', the Italian took the Ascot Gold Cup on nine occasions and his victories at its showpiece royal meeting in June number 81.
Narredu was so thrilled when Fireblade (13-2) galloped to victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers that he performed his idol's signature move, the flying dismount, in front of the crowd.
The performance helped him and teammates Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata to pip Europe by just a point in a thrilling conclusion.
"The flying dismount was definitely a tribute to my hero," said Narredu. "It is a dream come true to do something like this over here. "On Thursday I came to have a picture here without a horse. I wanted to be in this winner's enclosure.
''All the effort we have put in in the last three or four months with the Shergar Cup in mind has paid off today. Thanks to all the prayers and blessings of India, we have done it.''
Narredu's uncle Malesh, who was part of the 2009 Shergar Cup, said: ''He has worked hard on his fitness coming into the Shergar Cup. He wanted to be at his best. I could see him working really hard at home and it has paid off."
Team Asia - new for this year's competition after replacing the Ladies side - took two of the six races and picked up a crucial second place in the finale to secure the trophy.
''I am absolutely delighted," Narredu added. "To win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake after my winner."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
19 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea 4 AC Milan 1: Pedro and Delap both score after Italian defender's own goal and red card horror show
The new signings are shining at Chelsea Del delight Chelsea 4 AC Milan 1: Pedro and Delap both score after Italian defender's own goal and red card horror show Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA showed that pre-season might be merely a formality as they rolled over AC Milan by four goals to one, lifting the coveted VisitMalta Weekender trophy for the second time in three days. The Blues have made two supposedly decent teams look like amateurs, in what were hardly tough tests for Enzo Maresca's young team before playing Crystal Palace in the opening game of their season. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Joao Pedro was on target again to cement his place in the Chelsea XI Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 But he has Liam Delap breathing down his neck after a brace against AC Milan Credit: AFP New signing Jamie Gittens announced himself to the world against AC Milan for Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago, who may well be his favourite opponents as he gave their defence, Yunus Musah in particular, a torrid time today. The electric Englishman was perhaps overshadowed by Estevao against Bayer Leverkusen, but put in a performance today that showed he could nutmeg a mermaid in a telephone box if ever put to the test. It was his direct running and trickery that won the free-kick for Chelsea to open the scoring through an Andrei Coubis own goal on the stroke of the 5th minute, after a calamitous mix-up between the Italian and Mike Maignan in the Milan goal. Moments later and Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto combined for the Brazilian to head home his fifth goal in five games. A driving run from Neto down the right was followed by an inch perfect cross, met by a header that could've ripped a hole in the net to add Chelsea's second in as many minutes. He's proving exceptional value for his £60m fee. The Blues continued to dominate until the half-time whistle, helped out on the way by Milan defender Andrei Coubis' afternoon going from bad to worse with a straight red card for bringing down Joao Pedro who was through on goal. The Italian booted a water bottle as he stormed down the tunnel, and rightly so, you may not see a worse 17 minutes at Stamford Bridge this season than that. Cole Palmer went close twice from first-half free-kicks, one that left the post rattling and another which left former Chelsea target Mike Maignan being ridiculed as a 's*** Robert Sanchez'. The Blues' number ten almost went on to recreate Gus Poyet's famous 1999 'scissor volley' minutes later, but his effort just sailed over the bar. Unsurprisingly, it was Rafael Leao who lead the AC Milan charge. He was denied by Robert Sanchez, Tosin and Reece James before finally beating the Spanish stopper, only to see the offside flag raised on the near side. Half-time brought the introduction of six-time Champions League winner, Ballon D'or winner and Swansea part-owner Luka Modric into the middle for Milan. The Croatian was left chasing the shadows of Chelsea's young and energetic midfield throughout the second half, his only highlight being a tame shot claimed by Robert Sanchez. After the disastrous news that future captain Levi Colwill required surgery on an ACL injury, Enzo Maresca will have winced as Trevoh Chalobah was forced off with a knock in the 56th minute and replaced by Josh Acheampong, Milan grew into the game in the second half, and simply had to score when Yunus Musah rolled the ball past Robert Sanchez before Reece James arrived on the scene to put that fire out. Expectedly, a flurry of Chelsea changes came with 30 minutes to go, and unsurprisingly it was teenage prodigy Estevao replacing Cole Palmer that drew the biggest cheer at Stamford Bridge. It took the 18-year-old exactly five minutes to be involved in another Chelsea goal, as he was brought down inside the box, allowing Delap to rifle a penalty into the bottom left corner. The rest of his touches brought an expectant gasp out of everyone in the stadium, as he danced and dazzled with fancy footwork in front of the Matthew Harding stand. AC Milan got a consolation goal, courtesy of Youssaf Fofana who smashed the ball past Robert Sanchez at the near post with 20 minutes to go, assisted by Alexis Saelemaekers. Just when fans thought that would be game, set, and match, Chelsea added a fourth and final goal. Andrey Santos' perfectly weighted ball into the path of Liam Delap allowed the English striker to make it a brace with a fine finish into the bottom left corner.
Daily Mirror
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Bruce Forsyth's widow 'open to finding love again' eight years after Strictly legend's death
Lady Wilnelia, widow of late entertainment star Bruce Forsyth, has revealed she would be open to falling in love again as she tells the Mirror she has 'no idea what the future holds' Bruce Forsyth's widow Lady Wilnelia Forsyth is considering dating again - eight years after the late Strictly legend's death. Asked about the prospect of falling in love again, the 67-year-old nodded enthusiastically as she told the Mirror, ''I've no idea what is in the future for me. But I am really happy.' The Puerto Rican beauty, 67, was married to former Strictly host Bruce for 34 years until his death in 2017, aged 89, closing the curtain on a stellar 75-year career in the entertainment business. It comes after reports of Victoria Beckham's four-word comment to Geri Horner amid Spice Girls 'feud'. Cruz Beckham 'steals' his dad's tiny white trunks and family have epic response The former actress and beauty queen, who won Miss World 1975, tells us she is in a great place, and believes the secret to her youthful looks is 'trying to be happy' and the fact that she's 'just put a few pounds on'. But she also admits that the last eight years, trying to create a whole new routine since the loss of her beloved husband - with whom she shares grow-up son Jonathan Joseph, 39, have not been easy. 'It is difficult… But you know, what can you do? I always think, at least I am surrounded by all my family. I spend time in Puerto Rico as well and I keep very busy with all the different charities that I support. And I play golf, a lot of golf now. My handicap is 24. I'm getting there.'' Lady Wilnelia, whose late husband was a famously keen golfer and would regularly take part in pro-celebrity golf tournaments, believes he'd be very proud of her newfound sporting passion. 'He would love it. I am the Vice President of Variety Golf. He would have been very impressed with it, I think!'' The former model is certainly keeping herself busy, with trips back to her native country, and attending high-profile recent events such as Ascot. ' I have done so many things, I've been going out everywhere. 'It has been wonderful. Really lovely.' As for Bruce's family, Lady Wilnelia says she still remains in touch with them. 'I've just been celebrating the birthday of one of my step daughters - she was 70 - I don't know how that happened.' Her latest project is a new charity started back home, in her late parents' memory. 'I started a new charity in Puerto Rico because my father and mother both passed away and they both had Alzheimer's. I was a caregiver - and this is for the caregivers.' She adds, 'We are also going to have a gala at some point, celebrating my 50 years of winning Miss World. Imagine, I don't know where time has gone!' When Lady Wilnelia tied the knot with Bruce, it was third time happy for the seasoned entertainer - after two failed marriages before her. Sir Bruce met his first wife, Penny Calvert, at London's Windmill Theatre, when he was in his 20s. The couple married in 1953 and lasted 20 years, the couple going on to have three daughters: Debbie, Julie and Laura, but theirs would prove a turbulent union. In 1971, the presenter launched The Generation Game on the BBC with former Bunny Girl and glamour model Anthea Redfern - and affair a passionate affair, the pair got married on Christmas Eve 1973, five months after Sir Bruce's divorce from Penny was finalised. That marriage lasted six years, and the couple welcomed two daughters, Charlotte and Louisa - but ended when Anthea admitted adultery with another man. Though he went through two divorces, had six children and a smattering of extra-marital affairs, Sir Bruce's private life after tying the knot with Lady Wilnelia - who in later years devotedly nursed her husband through several bouts of ill-health, was happy and conflict-free.. Despite their 29-year age-gap - she was 23 when they met, he 52 - they remained devoted for more than three decades, and Sir Bruce would say on more than one occasion that meeting his third wife was one of the 'luckiest moments' in his life.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
UKIP leader Nick Tenconi accused of 'Nazi salute' in video he shared online
UKIP leader Nick Tenconi was criticised for using a gesture with his right arm which some social media users compared to a 'Nazi salute' The leader of UKIP has faced online accusations he used a Nazi salute in a clip he posted. In a video he shared on social media, Nick Tenconi was seen outside the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea, Portsmouth, performing a gesture with his right arm. Tenconi, a 43-year-old personal trainer, curled his right hand into a fist and put it to his chest before raising his right arm in the air. The clip also showed Me Tenconi dancing to a 'L'Amour Toujours', a hit by Italian DJ Gigi D'Agostino released in 1999 that more recently has been used by members of the German far right. 'Turns my stomach that @NickTenconi feels able to throw a Nazi salute on an English street without consequences,' one person wrote. 'UKIP leader Nick Tenconi at an anti migrant protest,' another observed, asking 'is that a Nazi salute?'. The Mirror has approached Mr Tenconi for comment. Mr Tenconi, who was made leader of UKIP in February 2025, is also the COO of Turning Point UK, a right-wing non-profit organisation that says its goal is to 'unite people under the banner of personal responsibility, limited government and free market economics'. Asked about Mr Tenconi's gesture, Turning Point UK stressed to the Mirror that it is 'separate from party politics' and that its COO 'did not do a Nazi salute he did a close fisted salute'. The group directed the Mirror to a previous clip of Mr Tenconi raising his right arm with a clenched fist and said it was 'similar' to a gesture made by some supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement. Anti-racism demonstrators have long used a raised fist held straight up in the air as a mark of protest. Turning Point UK added: "This is nothing more than a ridiculous smear stemming from political opponents who are trying to derail Nick, because they are jealous of his popularity." Under the interim leadership of Mr Tenconi, UKIP received 0.02 percent of the vote at the 2024 general election. The clip posted by Mr Tenconi was captioned "we are sending them home" and comes amid a number of demonstrations against asylum seeker hotels and houses of multiple occupation. On Friday, there were protests in Bristol, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Birmingham among others on Saturday, and Portsmouth, Southampton and Aldershot in Hampshire, Leicester and Altrincham in Cheshire. A handful of people were arrested at demonstrations in Canary Wharf, in London, and Epping, in Essex, on Friday night. Hundreds of protesters in Nuneaton also marched through the Warwickshire town after two men, reported to be Afghan asylum seekers, were charged over the rape of a 12-year-old girl. The crowd, also protesting against asylum hotels and houses of multiple occupation, significantly outnumbered Stand Up to Racism counter-protesters outside Nuneaton's Town Hall on Saturday afternoon. Police said the protest was peaceful, with one arrest of a 17-year-old boy. The protests come after Warwickshire Police said Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, had been charged with rape, while Mohammad Kabir, 23, was charged with kidnap, strangulation and aiding and abetting rape of a girl under 13 after an alleged incident in Nuneaton. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and the youngest council leader in the country, George Finch, who is leader of Warwickshire County Council, claimed there had been a 'cover-up' of details about the alleged rape. Warwickshire Police chief constable Alex Franklin-Smith said the force 'did not and will not' cover up alleged criminality and had followed national guidance. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for more transparency from police about suspects, and said it was an 'operational decision' for forces and the Crown Prosecution Service over what details to release. Ms Cooper said 'we do think more transparency is needed' in the information given by police. Mr Farage has suggested he believes the immigration status of suspects charged with crimes should be made available.
