Great Britain and Ireland won the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday, with Hong Kong putting up a valiant fight to finish joint second alongside Team Europe following a pair of race victories.
Jerry Chau Chun-lok and Luke Ferraris struck in the first two races respectively, while captain Vincent Ho Chak-yiu secured a second, which ultimately proved crucial in securing the runner-up spot.
It was a dream start for Hong Kong and Chau, who made his first ride at Ascot count by guiding Tuco Salamanca to a comfortable victory in the Shergar Cup Dash.
Settled towards the rear of the field, the pair made steady progress and burst to the front with a furlong to go, quickening clear by 1½ lengths to defeat Gold Star Hero, giving Hong Kong a 1-2 in the opener.
“He’s 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,” Chau said. “He jumped pretty good and I just let him follow – which they told me to do. After the 400m I knew he could win – he gave me a very good finish.
“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.”
Things got even better for Hong Kong just 35 minutes later, with Ferraris also making his first British outing count by riding Dancing In Paris to a gutsy win in the Shergar Cup Stayers.
Always in the perfect stalking position behind the leader, Ferraris had to use all his patience after getting caught in a pocket for much of the home straight. Once guided into the clear with 200m to go, he showed plenty of gears to quicken on by a length.
“He was in great order so well done to the trainer and connections, because he didn’t leave me alone from the time we left the barriers. I was a bit worried it was going to catch him out in the end, but he got a great toe up the hill and when he got inside the final furlong he still had gears there. All credit to the trainer and his team,” Ferraris said.
“It definitely lived up to expectations. Walking through the archway when it’s for you is very special. I won’t forget this forever.”
Any thoughts of an easy day were short-lived, however, with Great Britain and Ireland striking back with venom in the preceding races.
Ryan Moore got them on the board with a typically well-delivered ride aboard Asgard’s Captain in the Shergar Cup Challenge, before their captain Saffie Osborne struck on Red Spells Danger in the Shergar Cup Sprint.
The home team took the front in the next race, the Shergar Cup Classic, with Moore picking up his second winner of the day aboard Archers Bay, leaving them with a nine-point lead heading into the final race of the day.
Hong Kong were unable to put up resistance in the final race, with Crown Board and Frida Valle Skar taking the Shergar Cup Mile for Europe, meaning Great Britain and Ireland won the day with a total of 81 points, while Moore claimed the Silver Saddle for leading rider.
Hong Kong finished joint second on 62 points with Team Europe, with the Rest Of The World trailing in last with 39.
