Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris enjoyed dream debuts in Great Britain on Saturday (8 August) at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with breakthrough wins from their first rides, while Team Hong Kong fell valiantly short of overall success behind Team Great Britain & Ireland.

Chau, 26, patiently guided Tuco Salamanca between runners to strike his landmark win in the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap (1000m) before Ferraris, 24, pounced late aboard Dancing In Paris to capture the Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap (3190m), with both victories lifting Team Hong Kong to an early lead with 15 points awarded for each triumph.

Chau said: “I’m so excited now. I’m very happy I could win the first one then Luke won the second for our team. It’s a lovely feeling to ride at this track. It has uphill and downhill, and it is a very different experience to Hong Kong. I’m very happy I can ride with top jockeys.”

Trained by Ollie Sangster, Tuco Salamanca settled off the pace as Chau bided his time. Let loose late, the four-year-old gelding sailed past a defiant Gold Star Hero – rated an outsider in the race at 19/1 odds – under Team Hong Kong’s captain, Vincent Ho, by one and a half lengths in a winning time of 58.61s.

Jerry Chau and Tuco Salamanca take out the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap.

Jerry Chau and Tuco Salamanca take out the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap.

“He was a very calm horse down to the gates and I was pretty confident with him because he saved a lot of energy before the race. He jumped pretty good and I just let him follow – which (is what) they told me to do. After the 400 (metre mark) I knew he could win – he gave me a very good finish,” Chau said. “They trained him very well.”

Hugging the inside rail behind the leader, Ferraris peeled the Ian Williams-trained Dancing In Paris into clear space over the final 200m to edge a length in front of Shrimp Shady and Ryan Moore in a time of 3m 29.38s, earning the award for the Shergar Cup’s Ride of the Day.

Ferraris said: “It definitely lived up to expectations, walking through the archway when it’s for you is very special. It’s really special to have my family here and some of their friends. It’s great to be representing Hong Kong and hopefully doing them proud.

“Well done to the trainer and connections. I was a bit worried it was going to catch him out that last bend, but he got a great tow up the hill. When he got inside the final furlong (200m), he still had gears.”

Luke Ferraris celebrates victory aboard Dancing In Paris at Ascot.

Luke Ferraris celebrates victory aboard Dancing In Paris at Ascot.

Four-time LONGINES World’s Best Jockey (2014, 2016, 2021 & 2023) Ryan Moore, making his first Shergar Cup appearance since 2006, won two of the programme’s six races to help Team Great Britain & Ireland secure first prize.

Moore got the best out of the Dylan Cunha-trained Asgard’s Captain in the Shergar Cup Challenge Handicap (2392m) before driving Archers Bay for Marco Botti – trainer of Sha Tin Group 1 winner Giavellotto – to victory in the Shergar Cup Classic Handicap (2392m).

Saffie Osborne – team captain of Great Britain & Ireland – middled Moore’s brace aboard Red Spells Danger for trainer Tim Easterby in the Shergar Cup Sprint Handicap (1200m), defeating race favourite Thunder Call and Chau, who rallied gamely into second place.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, attends the Shergar Cup to cheer on Team Hong Kong.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, attends the Shergar Cup to cheer on Team Hong Kong.

Great Britain & Ireland led 71-62 over Team Hong Kong heading into the finale, the Shergar Cup Mile (1594m), which was won by jockey Frida Valle Skar aboard the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Crown Board for Team Europe, who were first and second in the contest to match Team Hong Kong’s 62 points, but placed third at the conclusion following a countback due to Team Hong Kong’s two wins.

Great Britain & Ireland boosted their tally to 81 points following Moore’s third aboard Ozat in the closing race, while the Rest of the World team were fourth overall on 39 points. Moore secured the Silver Saddle having accumulated the most points for his team.

Ho said: Overall, I’m really happy and I am really with the team. A winner each for them and some placings as well, so it was really good. Ascot is a great racetrack to race on, and the atmosphere is always great. Also, with all of the top jockeys in the world everyone raced super clean and tidy. Everyone performed really good.”

Ho will next ride at Deauville in France on Sunday, 9 August, where he’ll partner Group 2 winner Ponntos in the Listed Prix du Cercle (1000m).

Vincent Ho makes his second appearance at the Shergar Cup.

Vincent Ho makes his second appearance at the Shergar Cup.

By Declan Schuster

Photo: HKJC