Rest of the World teammates Hugh Bowman, Karis Teetan and Katie Davis were among the jockeys who spoke to the media at Ascot ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday [August 9].
Hugh Bowman is best known for his association with champion racemare Winx, whom he partnered to a record 25 G1 victories in Australia.
Now based in Hong Kong, the 45-year-old is making his third appearance at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, 18 years on from his debut in 2007 while on a stint in the UK.
Bowman said: “In 2007, I came over to ride for Mick Channon. I went north, south, east and west. I went to places like Musselburgh, Hamilton, Great Yarmouth and Folkestone, which I think is closed now. My most successful tracks were Ascot and Salisbury.
‘‘I had met Mick at the cricket. He was down for the Ashes to see England get a good hiding! He made me the offer to come and ride for him for the season. I was riding for Gai Waterhouse at the time and she said, ‘you have to go’.
“It was when the wheels really started going for me as a jockey. Every time I have been overseas and gone back to Australia, I think I have returned a more accomplished rider. I would recommend it to any young jockey.
“I have had two goes for one win in previous Shergar Cups, so I have a 50 per cent record. Let’s see if I can improve on that.’’
Rest of the World captain Karis Teetan rides alongside Bowman in Hong Kong and has developed into one of the jurisdiction’s leading jockeys.
A former champion apprentice in South Africa, the Mauritian has teamed up with the likes of Able Friend and Romantic Warrior, whom he guided to victory in the Hong Kong Derby and QEII Cup in 2022.
Teetan said: “I am really excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity. The Shergar Cup is one of the competitions I have always wanted to take part in. I have met all the British jockeys who have come to Hong Kong, plus I have seen Vincent Ho come here and Matthew Chadwick. It is nice to be here representing Mauritius.
“It is my first time in England and at Ascot. It is a beautiful track. I am going to speak to a few big jockeys like Ryan Moore and Oisin Murphy to pick their brains. They are not in the competition, so they might give me a few tips.’’
Katie Davis, a multiple stakes winner in the USA, will be calling on Frankie Dettori for some advice. Davis’s father Robbie rode over 3,000 winners, while her brother Dylan and husband Trevor McCarthy are both G1-winning riders.
Davis said: “Frankie said, ‘when the entries come out, don’t you forget Katie, you had better call me!’ It was when we were breezing with Wesley Ward before I left. So I said, ‘don’t worry, I will call you and you can analyse it for me’.
“When I was riding in Maryland, one of my trainers told me I had to do a Frankie dismount. I won and when I looked at him, he said that was the deal, so I jumped off, but I couldn’t do it here. It is Frankie’s trademark, although he stole it from Angel [Cordero].
‘‘Words can’t explain how much I am looking forward to the Shergar Cup – and I have a lot of energy! I will definitely enjoy every bit of it, especially being part of a team. That will make it a little more comfortable as well. It will be fun – and I am here to win.”
The inaugural Asia team will be captained by Suraj Narredu, who is one of India’s most decorated jockeys and decided to pursue a career in the saddle after watching Dettori’s Magnificent Seven at Ascot in 1996.
With almost 2,500 career wins, Narredu is following in the footsteps of his uncle Malesh, who competed at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup in 2009.
Narredu said: “My dad and uncle were jockeys already, so I was slightly inclined to follow them but, after watching the video of Frankie Dettori’s Magnificent Seven and the whole drama of what happened that day, it triggered me to become a jockey. I loved what he did that day and thought, if I am going to do something, this is going to be it.
“I was in my seventh grade in school at the time. It was a big deal for me to see something like that. It excited me so much. There are some things when kids see it, cricket or any sport, it inspires them.
‘‘I am very lucky to come the same racecourse. It is like a dream come true to be associated with the Shergar Cup and ride at such a prestigious racecourse as Ascot. All the greats from around the world have raced here on this fabulous track.
‘‘For me to come from India is a great honour. The last time that happened was 2009, when my uncle Malesh rode in the Shergar Cup, so it is a very big deal for me and Indian racing. It really means a lot and my uncle is flying over to cheer me on.’’
Great Britain & Ireland’s Robbie Dolan has made the long trip from Australia. The Kildare native moved Down Under in 2016 and has established himself at the top table, most notably winning last year’s Melbourne Cup on 90-1 outsider Knight’s Choice.
Dolan said: “Winning the Melbourne Cup definitely changed my life. It is one of those races which is more than a race. There are only a few like that in the world like the Arc and the Kentucky Derby. I never even thought I would get an opportunity to ride in the race. To win it on my first ride was pretty special.
“It has made me want more and to get that feeling again. I would not be competing in the Shergar Cup if I had not won that race. More doors open and you have to jump at the opportunities when they come.
“It is an honour to be here. I remember watching the Shergar Cup as a kid with the likes of Mick Kinane, Kieren Fallon and Richard Hughes taking part. I will be going home to Kildare on Sunday and hopefully have a pint of Guinness by 3pm. Maybe even two!”
Europe will be captained by Sweden’s 10-time champion jockey Per-Anders Graberg, who rode a winner on his Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debut in 2018 and returned earlier this year from a serious injury.
Graberg said: “The last time I rode in the Shergar Cup, I won the two-mile race on Cleonte for Andrew Balding. It was always on my mind to get invited one more time. I always wanted to come back and be a part of it. It is a great event and a beautiful track.
‘‘A year ago yesterday, I broke my pelvis and was out for nine months. I was back riding in April. It took a long time, but I don’t feel anything from it now. There was a chance it could have ended my career.
“A three-year-old filly flipped over on me. My right leg was hanging loose from the body. I had to have six screws put into my right side and a screw about 20cm through everything to keep it intact. Two days after the accident I told my wife that maybe I should give up but, after a week, I realised I still enjoyed what I was doing.”
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