A Hong Kong-based jockey proved the star of the show and the difference in the Shergar Cup teams event at Ascot on the weekend, for the second successive year.
French rider, Gerald Mosse led the European team to victory as captain and was the highlight individually when he finished in the placings with all four of his rides, including a Shergar Cup Classic victory, and took the Silver Saddle award for the most successful rider in the series. It was Mosse’s second time as the Silver Saddle hero, having taken it in 2008.
Twelve months ago, Hong Kong born and raised jockey Matthew Chadwick had taken the Silver Saddle with three seconds and a win from his four mounts, steering the Rest Of the World team to victory in the overall contest as well.
August also is usually a peak month as Hong Kong trainers begin to finalise purchases from Britain and Europe for the coming season and leading bloodstock agent, Sackville Donald notified by Twitter three purchases from Britain this week bound for Sha Tin stables – three-year-olds Dundonnell and Van Der Neer and unbeaten English juvenile, Good Old Boy Lukey.
Dundonnell, formerly with Roger Charlton and a three-time winner from eight starts didn’t measure up to the best at three in England but his form includes chasing home the stars Toronado and Dawn Approach on several occasions. So too the form of Van Der Neer, a distant third to the pair in the 2,000 Guineas, and he was also third in what used to be called the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot behind very smart Remote.
Good Old Boy Lukey won three from three in England, the latest a Group Two at Newmarket in July. He will face the usual disadvantages coming in to Hong Kong at such an early age but looks to have some scope.
By Nathan Mody
