Melbourne Cup winning jockey Gerald Mosse has guided the European team to an emphatic victory in the Shergar Cup at Ascot.
The hugely-experienced Frenchman and his compatriot Ioritz Mendizabal both had Mark Johnston to thank as the trainer provided them with a winner each in the four-sided jockey competition.
Mosse had also been involved the last time Europe were successful back in 2008 and picked up the Silver Saddle prize for top individual rider on both occasions.
“It was excellent,” Mosse said. “It was a great atmosphere, the weather was good and everyone enjoyed it.”
With points given to the first five home, the final standings were Europe on 91, Great Britain and Ireland on 61, Rest of the World 46 and the Girls on 40.
Europe had a virtually unassailable advantage by the fifth race, in which their light blue colours filled the first three spots home.
Johnston ran five in the Keltbray Shergar Cup Classic and was rewarded by a one-two-three, with Mosse doing the honours on Royal Skies (7-1) ahead of Bushel and Statutory.
“Ioritz rides for me when I have runners in France, although he is less known than some of the others, and I use Gerald as well, so of the foreign riders they would have been my first choices,” Johnston said.”
“I’ll be honest, I come here for the prize-money as with only 10 runners a race I can’t resist.”
Kieren Fallon was given a four-day whip ban for his efforts on Bushel (August 24-27), but the Great Britain and Ireland captain had delivered one of two of his team’s winners.
It was worse for New Zealander Lisa Allpress who received a seven-day whip ban (August 24-30).
Singapore champion Joao Moreira entered into the spirit of things as he punched the air with delight after winning the Barclays Shergar Cup Dash.
