August 10 2021  |  Retailers

Ladies win 3rd Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

By Wendy Morley

The team of all-female riders claimed victory for the third time at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup upon its return to Ascot Racecourse, UK on Saturday, 7 August.

This international jockeys’ challenge was witnessed by one of Ascot’s biggest crowds since the pandemic began.

Nicola Currie ensured a clean sweep for the Ladies team, taking both the Silver Saddle and the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day, presented this year in memory of the late Joe Mercer.

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup 2021 winning team l-r Hayley Turner, Mickaelle Michel and Nicola Currie

Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Colm McLoughlin said, “We are delighted to once again support the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, which has maintained its position as Ascot’s best attended fixture outside of the Royal meeting. The competitive spirit in which the event is played out embodies what British racing’s only team event is all about and we congratulate Hayley Turner, Nicola Currie and Mickaelle Michele on their success.”

Danish-born Kevin Stott of the Rest of the World team put the first points on the leader board for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash.

On the second day, Nicola Currie and teammate Mickaelle Michel from France produced a finish almost identical to that of the opening event.

"There's great buzz in the weighing room" said Nicola. "Just Hubert is a bit of a lad but he just pricked his ears the whole way round, enjoying himself as much as I did."

After two races James Doyle led the challenge for the Alistair Haggas Silver Saddle awarded to the rider amassing the most individual points on the day, helping take the Great Britain into the team lead.

Nicola Currie wins the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers and secures the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day

However, at the third race, The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge, the Ladies “confirmed their place at the head of the table.” Nicola Currie also claimed victory in the individual event. After placing second to Graphite ridden by team Ireland’s David Egan, she grabbed a lead which was maintained for the remainder of the contest.

"We needed those points," said Egan who, like Currie and Stott was riding his first Shergar Cup winner. He too was champion apprentice, and his career has taken off with victory in the world's richest race, the Saudi Cup and, on the same horse Mishrif, the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night.

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile was the fourth race. Here Dashing Roger confirmed a decisive Great British victory under Cieren Fallon, making his Shergar Cup debut.

Thanks to Fallon Great Britain now led by four points from the Rest of the World. And though Nicola Currie was still at the top of the individual standings Sean Levey, James Doyle and David Egan were in hot pursuit.

In a thrilling finale, Ireland landed a 1-2-4 to score 30 points and jump from fourth to second in the overall standings, three points behind the victorious Ladies team.

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup - Final Standings:

  • LADIES 69
  • IRE 66
  • GB 64
  • ROW 53

Alistair Haggis “Silver Saddle” Trophy - Final standings:

  • Nicola Currie LADIES 47
  • David Egan IRE 29
  • James Doyle GB 27
  • Cieren Fallon GB 27
  • Joe Fanning IRE 27
  • Sean Levey ROW 21
  • Andrea Atzeni ROW 17
  • Kevin Stott ROW 15
  • Mickaelle Michel LADIES 15
  • Adam Kirby GB 10
  • Tadhg O'Shea IRE 10
  • Hayley Turner LADIES 7

A new trophy will be commissioned for next year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup event after Ladies team captain Hayley Turner, who took her individual points total in fourteen appearances to a remarkable 300, was presented with the team trophy to keep in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the event.

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