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Shergar Cup 2008 |
Shergar
Cup
Gerald Mosse Double Seals Titles
09/08/08
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Frenchman Gerald Mosse recorded a 21.5/1 double to clinch the Silver Saddle title, along with ensuring that his European team came out successful in the 2008 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.
Riding the Clive Cox-trained Perfect Star, Mosse produced a lovely run to gain the lead inside the final furlong and take victory off American Russell Baze, riding Ace Of Hearts.
A delighted Mosse said: “I haven’t won everything but it’s been okay! Honestly, it was a great day, a lot of competition. The ground was a bit soft, but I believe that the horse felt comfortable even if it was a bit deep.
“They said to go close to the pace and, if somebody went faster, let them but if not I was to do it myself. She was a bit keen so I decided to wait and to be very patient on her, then she picked up to the line.
“It was a great meeting. It is a real pleasure to be here and to participate in this kind of challenge. I’ve been lucky to get good horses in the draw and, on top of that, they went on the soft ground. They went through everything today and it’s my day today.”
Cox added: “She’s been given a great ride and all I said to him (Mosse) was that she likes to be ridden with confidence.
“I thought she might be a Lincoln horse in the spring but we had to back off and just struggled with her a bit. But for a Listed filly she was on a good mark today and I think we might look for some more black type now, hopefully she’ll have a good second half to the year. She appreciates a drop of rain and we might look for something in France where she should get her ground.”
DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP 2008 - FINAL STANDINGS
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
Team Points
1) Europe 94
2) Rest Of The World 57
3) GB 53
4) Ireland 44
SILVER SADDLE STANDINGS
Jockey Points
1) Gerald Mosse EUR 50
2) Yutaka Take ROW 37
3) Mirco Demuro EUR 26
4) Hayley Turner GB 25
5) Richard Hughes IRE 22
6) Russell Baze ROW 20
7) Halis Karatas EUR 18
8) Frankie Dettori GB 16
9) Jamie Spencer IRE 14
10) Seb Sanders GB 12
11) Kevin Manning IRE 8
12) Jorge Ricardo ROW 0
BAZE CAN’T WAIT TO RETURN
US rider Russell Baze, the first jockey ever to ride 10,000 winners, admitted he thoroughly enjoyed his British debut at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.
“I’ve had a blast,” said Baze. “I have to admit it’s been quite a challenge because it’s different to what I’m used to. But I’ve enjoyed it immensely and was just getting the hang of it at the end but sadly it’s all over. I can’t wait to come back here and I’ve had a tremendous time.”
The 13-times Italian champion Mirco Demuro said: “I was lucky because I got my first win in England and everything was beautiful.”
Turkish star Halis Karatas added: “We worked as a team and I am grateful to my captain and my team-mates. I am very happy to be here at the moment. It has been one of my dreams since my childhood to ride here so I have fulfilled my dream and it’s very important for me.”
REACTION FROM LADBROKES, OFFICIAL BOOKMAKER TO THE DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP
Team Europe and Gerald Mosse were the toast of the bookies on a rainy day at Ascot.
David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "The Team Europe win was a great result for us and a damn sight better than this time last year when we were caught out.
"Gerald Mosse was quietly fancied to go well but we'd have taken him to win the Silver Saddle at the start of the day and we're heading off to see Bananarama happy enough."
DUBAI DUTY FREE EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP
Dubai Duty Free today announced that it is to extend its sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for a further five years until 2013.
Dubai Duty Free has been associated with the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition since its inception in 1999.
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, commented: “I am delighted to announce that we have guaranteed our support of this immensely popular and colourful event for a further five years until 2013, and look forward to taking it to an even higher level.
“A ground-breaking concept, it has exceeded the aims of its originators, the gladiatorial element of competing teams in one of racing’s greatest theatres having captured the imagination of a wider audience and helped introduce many new faces to the sport.”
Dubai Duty Free horseracing activities: In addition to title sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, the company’s extensive global sports sponsorship portfolio includes the Spring Trials Meeting at Newbury in April, Newbury’s International Meeting in September featuring the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes, and for the first time this year, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh.
Dubai Duty Free: Dubai Duty Free is the multi-award winning airport retailer based at Dubai International Airport. Dubai Duty Free expects to achieve a landmark record turnover of US$1 billion in 2008, the 25th anniversary year. Dubai Duty Free’s expansion is set to continue with the opening later this year of a new concourse at Dubai International Airport, doubling its retail area to more than 17,000 square metres.
