Dubai: Three of the world’s best female riders will be hoping to upstage their male counterparts when they compete in the annual Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, Britain’s premier jockeys competition, which takes place at Ascot on Saturday.
Cathy Gannon, Rosie Napravnik and Lisa Allpress comprise The Girls team that will take on riders from the formidable five-time winners Rest of the World, three-time champions Great Britain & Ireland and 2008 heroes Europe in a six-race showdown for the Shergar Cup.
In all, the 12 contestants represent nine countries — Brazil, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the USA. Among them are highly-decorated riders like American Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, French marvel Gerald Mosse, German veteran Andrasch Starke and rising British star James Doyle.
Skipper Napravnik, who like her team-mates will be making her Shergar Cup debut, says she is looking forward to the Ascot experience.
“Coming here is a little bit tough because it is right in the middle of our premier meeting — Saratoga. It is quite a commitment,” said Napravnik, who has ridden close to 1,600 winners since making her debut in 2005.
“I was asked to come last year to the Shergar Cup and I declined because it was my first Saratoga, but I really wanted the experience at Ascot.
“I have done a few jockey challenges, but not anything involving an elite group like this from all over the world. I am looking forward to it very much. It should be very competitive.”
Lisa Allpress, the first female jockey to ride 1,000 winners in New Zealand, is determined to make her mark in her first appearance at the Ascot spowpiece.
“The Shergar Cup is a massive step up — another level — and I am really looking forward to it,” she said.
“The whole aspect of riding at Ascot to start with, and the experience of riding in another country up against the best jockeys in the world.
“I want to win on Saturday. I don’t think there is any point putting silks on if you wish to run second or third.”
Ireland’s Cathy Gannon received her chance to participate in the event after Hayley Turner dropped out through injury.
“I cannot wait. Since I have been told, I have been so excited — dreaming about it and everything,” said the 2004 Irish Champion Apprentice.
“I am delighted to be on the girls’ team. I watched the Shergar Cup last year on the telly and thought it was amazing. I am so happy to be in it this year.”
Gary Stevens is no stranger to Ascot, having ridden four winners at Royal Ascot, including Blueprint for Queen Elizabeth II in the 1999 Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap.
The 50-year-old, who returned to the saddle in January this year following a seven-year hiatus, said: “I love Ascot, it is one of the best racecourses in the world.
“I first rode in Britain in 1986 for Clive Brittain, when I came over to Europe and was based with Andre Fabre in France. I don’t think some of the jockeys I will be riding against on Saturday were even born back then!”
Yasunari Iwata, a partner of Stevens on the Rest of the World squad, added: “I am delighted to be back at Ascot. It is a tough course to ride around, but it is always a valuable experience to ride overseas as you learn a lot.
“I haven’t had a chance to look at the fields for Saturday yet but hopefully I will have a good book of rides.”
