Chauvinism remains in abundant supply in racing but those who feel in their bones that a man will always outride a woman had a blow struck against their beliefs at the Shergar Cup here on Saturday when female riders beat three other teams composed of male stars from around the world. Sammy Jo Bell, the first apprentice to take part in the event’s 13-year history, became its heroine, winning two of the six races and the Silver Saddle for top jockey.
There were bigger personalities on display during the opening ceremonies, notably that of the voluble Canadian Emma-Jayne Wilson, who stole last year’s show with two wins and who livens up any raceday with her likeable western-style swagger. Bell appeared happy just to be involved at the outset and understandably so, her previous involvement with Ascot amounting to two rides on outsiders.
But attention swung her way as early as the second race, when she guided the 8-1 shot Royal Signaller home a length ahead of two Melbourne Cup-winning jockeys, Kerrin McEvoy and Blake Shinn. Bell delivered a tactically faultless ride, tracking the two Australians as they set a funereal early pace.
Her other success came on Shell Bay, a 6-1 hope in the Shergar Cup Classic. It might be said that she outrode Olivier Peslier, four times a winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, who gave the runner-up, Perestroika, far too much to do.
From Bell’s perspective, delivering victory on her first ride for the champion trainer, Richard Hannon, is a useful career move. By the time she left for the drive back to Yorkshire in the company of her main employer, Richard Fahey, there were countless reasons to be delighted with her afternoon’s work. “On top of the world!” she responded to the obligatory TV question, “How do you feel?”
“Absolutely amazing. I just can’t believe the opportunity I’ve been given and to have two winners and win the Silver Saddle is outstanding. It’ll take a lot to better this one.”
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Fahey, despite training no winners here. “I was a bit worried for her because it’s on a world stage, this, and she’s come up trumps. She’s doing everything right. She rides a good race, she’s got a good head on her. She’s got to polish up her finish but a bit of confidence like this, it’s amazing how much it can help them. It’s what they need, these kids.”
Ironically, it was a Fahey horse that could have denied Bell her moment of glory. McEvoy was her closest challenger for the Silver Saddle before the final race, in which the random draw had assigned him the Fahey-trained Grandad’s World, ridden by Bell earlier this season. Had he carried McEvoy into the places, the Australian would have seized the top prize, but he could do no better than sixth as a fretful Bell watched from the clerk of the scales’s chair.
That meant the Girls Team won by daylight, amassing 80 points to 67 for Great Britain & Ireland, captained by Jamie Spencer. This was a first success for the all-female team but then it is only the fourth time that such a team has been included and they were pipped by just a point last year. “We did it! We nailed it!” Wilson cried. “Sammy had an absolute rockstar day.”
Spencer, who won two races, also praised Bell. “She was cool on [Royal Signaller]. I went around her and she didn’t panic, holding her position. Richard Fahey told me he has the best jockey in the world at the moment.”
Hayley Turner couldn’t add to her four Shergar Cup wins but a first victory for her team at an event she sees as the highlight of each summer was a significant moment for the most successful female jockey Britain has produced. “We’ve finally done it!” she said.
Turner praised Cathy Gannon who had been prevented by a late injury from being part of the team, adding: “I’ve got to hand it to Sammy Jo, though. She’s done so well today.”
Wilson weighed in with a word for Alistair Haggis, whose public relations skills did so much for this event and who first suggested the creation of a Girls Team.
Haggis died from motor neurone disease last year and is remembered by having his name engraved on the Silver Saddle.
“Alistair was instrumental, the first year I came and rode against Hayley,” Wilson said. “It brings tears to my eyes to see the trophy. This is for him.”
