Its Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and Rest of the World captain Rachel King is back having spent the last 10 years establishing herself in Australia.
In drawing choice rides on Saturday, it’s the Jim Goldie trained Jordan Electric who is looking fifth straight win in the Shergar Cup Dash and Insanity in the Cup Challenge.
In June Rachael had two rides at Royal Ascot and “coming back to Britain in June to get married, and have a couple of rides at Royal Ascot was really special.”
“Especially finishing second on Strutting in the Sandringham Handicap, and being back is bringing back a few memories and I want to get it right and get my head in front.”
“It is a proud moment to come back after proving myself, as I never got a proper rhythm going so it’s nice to come back and hopefully on Saturday to ride some winners.”
”It is great to be a team captain and even better Ascot have decided to have the 50-50 split of female and male jockeys this year as it shows the strength of the female riders.”
During that time, the 34-year-old was Sydney’s Champion Apprentice in 2016-17 and has notched five Group 1 victories, most recently on Ozzmosis in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“My career was steady here, and before moving to Australia I rode for Alan King, Mark Usher and Clive Cox, as well as working as a secretary for Hillwood Stud in Wiltshire.”
”In Australia, we are very rarely known as female jockeys, just jockeys, and it’s happening more around the world and shows how dominant female jockeys are becoming.”
“I am honoured to compete at the Shergar Cup as I have ridden in similar jockey challenges around the world in the last 12 months, with opportunities in Japan and Hong Kong.”
”Riding for Alan King is very special as he was my first proper boss in racing, working there and riding in lady amateur races, flat and jumps, so it’s a big occasion to ride for him.”
Rachael King is joined on the Rest of the World team by South Africa’s Rachel Venniker and Japan’s Nanako Fujita, who have both pushed boundaries for females in their countries.
Rachael Venniker is South Africa’s only professional female jockey, having taken the Champion Apprentice title in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and “I am stable rider for Michael Roberts.”
“It’s brilliant to have an ex-Champion Jockey in Britain and South Africa as my guv’nor, as he has all the wisdom in the world to pass down, so I am always trying my best for him.”
Making her second appearance at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, Nanako Fujita remains Japan’s most successful female jockey, now with 165 domestic wins to her name.
“It is my second time riding in the Shergar Cup, and when I came in 2019 I finished fourth, so riding in the Shergar Cup last time was a great experience and a boost to my career.”
Italy’s Alberto Sanna and Spain’s Jose-Luis Borrego will represent Europe, alongside team captain Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, with Alberto Being former Champion Apprentice in Italy.
“I am very excited to be here,” said Alberto Sanna, “as you can win all the big races around the world but, if you do not win here you are nothing, and it’s my dream to win here.”
