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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup 2009 |
Japan’s Uchida Hopes to Bring Backflips to Ascot
06/08/09
Hiroyuki Uchida is hoping to thrill the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup crowd with his trademark backflips at Ascot on Saturday. The Japanese star is Japan’s answer to Frankie Dettori, who often plays to the gallery with his popular flying dismounts.
Uchida is one of three riders comprising the Rest of the World team at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, alongside India’s Malesh Narredu and UAE rider Ahmed Ajtebi.
The Japanese jockey said: “Frankie does his flying dismount and I do backflips, so if I ride a winner on Saturday, the Ascot crowd might see some acrobatics.”
Uchida, one of the leading lights of the Japan Racing Association circuit, his country’s horseracing premier league, is looking forward to comparing the world famous Ascot racecourse with the racing arenas in his homeland.
He continued: “I am really pleased to have been invited to ride at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. We get crowds of 100,000 for Group One races in Japan so riding at Ascot will be no problem and I am looking forward to the experience.
“I’m not worried about riding against top jockeys from other parts of the world. I will ride my own style - jockeys in each country have their own ways of doing things and it is a good match, a great competition.
“In the future I would like to speak a bit more English and would love to come back to take part in racing here, if that is possible.”
Uchida has made rapid strides in recent years, having only switched to the prestigious JRA scene in 2007, and his invitation to ride at the Shergar Cup is a testament to his talents, forged on the local NAR circuit.
The rider, who has previously competed in California and Dubai, said: “Lots of jockeys are riding on the local circuits in Japan and I had to wait to apply to become a JRA jockey. Everyone wants to make it onto the JRA circuit because that has a better image and provides greater opportunities.
“My greatest satisfaction came when I rode my first Group One winner. That was aboard Pink Cameo in the 2007 NHK Mile Cup when I was still an NAR jockey riding on the local circuit, so that was a great highlight and I’m sure that riding at Ascot will be another.”
Malesh Narredu is a race-riding legend in India with 57 Classic victories to his name, including a rare Triple Crown triumph (Indian 2,000 Guineas, Indian Derby, Indian St Leger) aboard Indictment in 1996.
The rider is based at the Royal Western India Turf Club in Mumbai, the city that provided the setting for the Oscar smash Slumdog Millionaire, and is having his first taste of race-riding in Britain.
Narredu said: “I’m absolutely delighted and privileged to be representing India in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and I am wanting to do my best. I have ridden 1,700 winners in India so it will be nice if I could ride a winner in England, it would be the icing on the cake. It would be special to win at Ascot itself, that is a matter of pride.
“Racing in India is getting more popular. We get a lot of English racing on TV in India, particularly the five days of Royal Ascot. The racing industry in India has grown with people watching Royal Ascot.
“We follow a lot of English racing. Our style of riding, running and racing is quite British.
“A lot of our best stallions come from Britain. Alnasr Alwasheek is there and Razeen is the best stallion in India. Razeen’s first crop produced Indictment, who I rode to win the Indian Triple Crown. That had not been done for a long time so that was a very big thing for me.
“Every year we have many jockeys riding in India from the UK and Ireland. Frankie (Dettori) rode in the last Indian Derby so it won’t be new for me riding against top jockeys from over here and I am excited at the prospect.”
Completing the Rest of the World team is the captain, Ahmed Ajtebi, who will donate all of his Shergar Cup prize money to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
Ajtebi is no stranger to British racegoers having enjoyed Royal Ascot success aboard Regal Parade in the 2008 Buckingham Palace Handicap. The Dubai native enjoyed his biggest day in the saddle when winning two Group One races on Dubai World Cup night in March and has ridden here for the past three summers.
He feels it an honour to be riding at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and is looking forward to some nice rides.
Ajtebi commented: “All of my rides have chances because the six races are very open and any horse could win them. I have a couple of good rides, particularly Dubai’s Touch in race two for Mark Johnston. I’m riding Yes Mister President for the same trainer in race four and he is a consistent horse who is usually in the frame.
“In the fifth race I ride Mystery Star for Mark Tompkins. The horse was second last time so hopefully he can go a place better for me. In the first and last races, anything can happen. They’re sprint races and it just depends what is in form on the day.”
Ajtebi’s career has progressed significantly over the past three seasons as his hard work and determination has begun to reap dividends but he is not one to rest on his laurels and sees the Shergar Cup as a great opportunity.
He continued: “It is a dream for all jockeys to ride in the Shergar Cup and it is very good for jockeys who are young in the game to be invited and have their profile raised to a wider audience. It’s good to ride against the top jockeys in this kind of competition, so it’s very exciting for me and hopefully it will be a good experience.
“In this game there is no point reaching a level and saying enough, because every day presents a different challenge. There are new races every day and Group races every week, so you can’t rest on what you have done. You have to win races like the Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot and the Derby. You have to keep going and when you win a couple of big races one year, you have to win more big races the next year. That’s the nature of the game.”
The draw was held today, Thursday, August 6, for Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, the world’s premier international jockeys’ tournament, at Ascot Racecourse with the four teams of three jockeys, representing Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World, being allocated horses at The Ritz Hotel, the official hotel of the event.
The official bookmaker, Ladbrokes, has priced up each race as well as opening betting on the top team and top jockey.
TOP TEAM - Ladbrokes odds
7/4 Ireland
9/4 Great Britain
100/30 Europe
4/1 Rest Of The World
TOP JOCKEY - Ladbrokes odds
5/1 Richard Hughes
7/1 Alan Munro, Neil Callan
8/1 Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Ajtebi, Darryll Holland
9/1 Hayley Turner, Seamus Heffernan
10/1 Fredrik Johansson
12/1 Andrasch Starke
16/1 Hiroyuki Uchida, Malesh Narredu
RACE ONE
1.10pm THE BARCLAYS SHERGAR CUP DASH 5f
Class 2, Handicap, £35,000 Total Prize Fund. For 3yo+ Rated 86-105 (also open to such horses rated 85 and below) Weights highest weight 10st Minimum weight 8-9, 3-y-o 8-6 Penalties after August 1st, each race won 3lb Weight for age 3 from 4yo+ 3lb. Prize Money: 1st: £17,500; 2nd: £6,125; 3rd: £2,800; 4th: £2,187; 5th: £1,925; 6th: £1,400; 7th: £1,137; 8th: £875; 9th: £612; 10th: £437.
EUR picked first followed by GBR, IRE, ROW
1) 025-110 Biniou (IRE) 6-10-00 Robert Cowell [12] Richard Hughes (IRE1) 7/2
2) 500641 Judge ‘n Jury t 5-9-13 Ron Harris [10] Alan Munro (GBR1) 7/2
3) 016020 Buachaill Dona (IRE) 6-9-13 David Nicholls [3] Hiroyuki Uchida (ROW1) 10/1
4) 0-02200 Captain Dunne (IRE) 4-9-11 Tim Easterby [7] Andrasch Starke (EUR3) 12/1
5) 005020 Group Therapy 4-9-10 Nick Littmoden [4] Fredrik Johansson (EUR2) 8/1
6) 041040 Fol Hollow (IRE 4-9-09 David Nicholls [6] Hayley Turner (GBR2) 6/1
7) 523030 Cheveton b 5-9-07 Richard Price [8] Gerald Mosse (EUR1) 11/2
8) 540000 Orpsie Boy (IRE) 6-9-04 Nick Littmoden [5] Ahmed Ajtebi (ROW2) 16/1
9) 0-06230 Tabaret 6-9-04 Richard Whitaker [11] Darryll Holland (GBR3) 12/1
10) 4230-56 Ginobili (IRE) b 3-9-01 Stef Liddiard [2] Seamus Heffernan (IRE2) 20/1
R1) 001100 Mandurah (IRE) 95 8-11 David Nicholls [9]
R2) 001212/ Jimmy Ryan (IRE) 15338 8-11 Tim McCarthy [1]
RACE TWO
1.45pm THE TITANIC QUARTER SHERGAR CUP CLASSIC 1m 4f
Class 2, Handicap, £35,000 Total Prize Fund. For 3yo Rated 81-100 (also open to such horses rated 80 and below) Weights highest weight 10st Minimum weight 8-9 Penalties after August 1st, each race won 3lb. Prize Money: 1st: £17,500; 2nd: £6,125; 3rd: £2,800; 4th: £2,187; 5th: £1,925; 6th: £1,400; 7th: £1,137; 8th: £875; 9th: £612; 10th: £437.
GBR picked first followed by IRE, ROW, EUR
1) 010150 Quai d'Orsay 3-10-0 Mark Johnston [9] Hiroyuki Uchida (ROW2) 14/1
2) 210230 Sabotage (UAE) 3-10-0 Mark Johnston [7] Malesh Narredu (ROW1) 14/1
3) 260112 Alanbrooke b 3-9-12 Mark Johnston [1] Darryll Holland (GBR1) 5/1
4) 212130 Barwell Bridge 3-9-09 Sylvester Kirk [6] Gerald Mosse (EUR2) 16/1
5) 321031 Polly's Mark (IRE) 3-9-08 (3lb ex) Clive Cox [8] Richard Hughes (IRE1) 5/2
6) 06-1120 Chiberta King 3-9-06 Andrew Balding [5] Seamus Heffernan (IRE2) 8/1
7) 01-10 Braveheart Move (IRE) 3-9-04 Sir Mark Prescott [4] Alan Munro (GBR2) 7/2
8)403-130 Holyrood 3-9-04 Sir Michael Stoute [2] Hayley Turner (GBR3) 16/1
9) 5-22312 Mabuya (UAE) 3-9-01 Peter Makin [3] Andrasch Starke (EUR1) 5/1
IRE & Neil Callan get four points for not being represented in this race.
RACE THREE
2.20pm THE LES AMBASSADEURS CLUB SHERGAR CUP MILE 1m
Class 2, Handicap, £35,000 Total Prize Fund. For 4yo+ Rated 81-100 (also open to such horses rated 80 and below) Weights highest weight 10st Minimum weight 8-9 Penalties after August 1st, each race won 3lb.Prize Money: 1st: £17,500; 2nd: £6,125; 3rd: £2,800; 4th: £2,187; 5th: £1,925; 6th: £1,400; 7th: £1,137; 8th: £875; 9th: £612; 10th: £437.
IRE picked first followed by ROW, EUR, GBR
1) 304-010 We'll Come b 5-9-12 Michael Jarvis [2] Richard Hughes (IRE3) 12/1
2) 0-40010 Dubai's Touch b 5-9-11 Mark Johnston [11] Ahmed Ajtebi (ROW2) 13/2
3) 040130 Mahadee (IRE) b 4-9-10 Clive Brittain [7] Hiroyuki Uchida (ROW1) 7/1
4) 000033 Docofthebay (IRE) p 5-9-10 Jamie Osborne [6] Hayley Turner (GBR1) 9/2
5) 0234-02 Moynahan (USA) 4-9-09 Paul Cole [12] Gerald Mosse (EUR1) 4/1
6) 2-01610 Dunn'o (IRE) 4-9-08 Clive Cox [3] Neil Callan (IRE1) 8/1
7) 400-211 City of The Kings (IRE) 4-9-07 Geoff Harker [10] Seamus Heffernan (IRE2) 5/1
8) 111-056 Glow Star (SAF) 5-9-07 Gary Moore [9] Malesh Narredu (ROW3) 25/1
9) 030001 Bencoolen (IRE) 4-9-06 David Nicholls [1] Darryll Holland (GBR2) 8/1
10) 201000 Tartan Gigha (IRE) 4-9-05 Mark Johnston [4] Fredrik Johansson (EUR2) 16/1
R1) 0-30352 Kay Gee Be (IRE) 5-9-04 William Jarvis [5]
R2) 362151 Marajaa (IRE) 7-9-02 Willie Musson [8]
RACE FOUR
2.55pm THE SODHEXO PRESTIGE SHERGAR CUP STAYERS 2m
Class 2, Handicap, £35,000 Total Prize Fund. For 4yo+ Rated 81-100 (also open to such horses rated 80 and below) Weights highest weight 10st Minimum weight 8-9 Penalties after August 1st, each race won 3lb. Prize Money: 1st: £17,500; 2nd: £6,125; 3rd: £2,800; 4th: £2,187; 5th: £1,925; 6th: £1,400; 7th: £1,137; 8th: £875; 9th: £612; 10th: £437.
ROW picked first followed by EUR, GBR, IRE
1) 62240/0 Macorville (USA) 6-10-00 George Moore [6] Gerald Mosse (EUR3) 20/1
2) 140-540 Tungsten Strike (USA) 8-9-09 Amanda Perrett [2] Alan Munro (GBR2) 20/1
3) 110-100 Keenes Day (FR) 4-9-06 Mark Johnston [9] Fredrik Johansson (EUR1) 4/1
4) 15010-5 Gee Dee Nen 6-9-06 Jim Best [8] Darryll Holland (GBR1) 7/1
5) 050-660 Bulwark (IRE) 7-9-04 Ian Williams [4] Malesh Narredu (ROW2) 20/1
6) 3-41204 Yes Mr President (IRE) 4-9-03 Mark Johnston [7] Ahmed Ajtebi (ROW1) 3/1
7) 140310 Overrule (USA) 5-9-02 Brian Ellison [5] Richard Hughes (IRE2) 7/1
8) 002-164 Woolfall Treasure b 4-9-02 George Moore [1] Neil Callan (IRE1) 7/2
9) 022410 Dolly Penrose 4-9-00 Mick Channon [11] Andrasch Starke (EUR2) 14/1
10) 000-020 Always Bold (IRE) 4-8-13 Donald McCain Jnr [10] Hiroyuki Uchida (ROW3) 14/1
R1) 044610 Aaim To Prosper (IRE) v 5-8-09 Mick Channon [3]
RACE FIVE
3.30pm THE MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL SHERGAR CUP CHALLENGE 1m 4f
Class 2, Handicap, £35,000 Total Prize Fund. For 4yo+ Rated 81-100 (also open to such horses rated 80 and below) Weights highest weight 10st Minimum weight 8-9 Penalties after August 1st, each race won 3lb. Prize Money: 1st: £17,500; 2nd: £6,125; 3rd: £2,800; 4th: £2,187; 5th: £1,925; 6th: £1,400; 7th: £1,137; 8th: £875; 9th: £612; 10th: £437.
EUR picked first followed by IRE, GBR, ROW
1) 241205 Record Breaker (IRE) b 5-10-00 Mark Johnston [1] Andrasch Starke (EUR1) 7/1
2) 660415 King Charles 5-9-11 Ed Dunlop [4] Malesh Narredu (ROW2) 12/1
3) 05-0004 Heron Bay 5-9-10 Chris Wall [9] Hayley Turner (GBR3) 9/1
4) 152502 Mystery Star (IRE) 4-9-10 Mark Tompkins [7] Ahmed Ajtebi (ROW1) 9/2
5) 2604-51 Conquisto 4-9-07 Clive Cox [5] Seamus Heffernan (IRE1) 4/1
6) 4-10502 Press The Button (GER) 6-9-05 Jim Boyle [2] Richard Hughes (IRE2) 9/1
7) 00-5000 Night Crescendo (USA) 6-9-04 Amanda Perrett [3] Neil Callan (IRE3) 12/1
8) 633350 Buddhist Monk t 4-9-02 Ian Williams [8] Fredrik Johansson (EUR2) 25/1
9) 56-4141 Remember Ramon (USA) 6-9-02 Jeremy Gask [6] Darryll Holland (GBR2) 7/1
10) 0-43624 William Blake 4-9-01 Mark Johnston [10] Alan Munro (GBR1) 9/2
RACE SIX
4.05pm THE DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP SPRINT 6f
Class 2, Handicap, £35,000 Total Prize Fund. For 3yo Rated 81-100 (also open to such horses rated 80 and below) Weights highest weight 10st Minimum weight 8-9 Penalties after August 1st, each race won 3lb. Prize Money: 1st: £17,500; 2nd: £6,125; 3rd: £2,800; 4th: £2,187; 5th: £1,925; 6th: £1,400; 7th: £1,137; 8th: £875; 9th: £612; 10th: £437.
GBR picked first followed by ROW, EUR, IRE
1) 410003 Proclaim b 3-10-00 Mark Johnston [1] Malesh Narredu (ROW1) 4/1
2) 6-06300 Favourite Girl (IRE) 3-10-00 Tim Easterby [8] Ahmed Ajtebi (ROW3) 11/1
3) 152443 Five Star Junior (USA) 3-9-12 Linda Stubbs [9] Fredrik Johansson (EUR1) 6/1
4) 32161-4 Tropical Paradise (IRE) 3-9-11 Peter Winkworth [11] Seamus Heffernan (IRE2) 10/1
5) 500-420 Able Master (IRE) 3- 9-11 Bryan Smart [7] Hiroyuki Uchida (ROW2) 12/1
6) 413400 Never Lose 3-9-10 Clive Brittain [2] Alan Munro (GBR2) 16/1
7) 321-00 Run For The Hills 3-9-09 John Gosden [6] Neil Callan (IRE1) 3/1
8) 526323 Kerrys Requiem (IRE) 3-9-08 Mick Channon [12] Gerald Mosse (EUR2) 6/1
9) 300640 Smokey Ryder 3-9-08 Ron Harris [4] Andrasch Starke (EUR3) 33/1
10) 211-403 Noverre To Go (IRE) t 3-9-07 Tom Dascombe [5] Hayley Turner (GBR1) 7/1
R1) 1-23155 Affluent 3-9-05 Roger Charlton [3]
R2) 555123 Satwa Street (IRE) 3-9-01 David Simcock [10]
