The Shergar Cup is my Olympics and a stacked book of rides means I can be queen of Ascot again

FORGET the Olympics, today’s the biggest sporting event in the calendar.

I’ve loved watching the Olympics over the last few weeks, don’t get me wrong, but there’s nothing I look forward to more than the Shergar Cup.

PAJockey Hayley Turner after winning the Stream All Racing Free At tote.co.uk Racing League Race 6 Handicap with Expressionless at Great Yarmouth Racecourse. Picture date: Thursday July 25, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story RACING Racing League. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use […][/caption]

When I map out my year, the Shergar Cup weekend is the first with a ring around it.

Like the Racing League, the Shergar Cup catches a lot of flack, but I will never understand why.

All the jockeys who get involved with the Shergar Cup love it and creates such a great atmosphere, not just in the weighing room, but in the stands too.

My family will be there cheering me and my team on too, which is an extra incentive to get them home.

It may have been more lowkey in the early days, but in the last five years there has been a real buzz.

I’m a bit biased, but I think the girls team is always the one to bring the energy and get the crowd going.

Just look at the celebrations when I, Saffie Osborne and Hollie Doyle won it last year. I think I’m still trying to get champagne out of my eyes . . . 

I do credit a lot of that to Emma-Jayne Wilson, who has been a Shergar Cup regular and always brings the energy when she flies in from Canada.

The crowd loves cheering us on against guys, but this year it’ll be an equal split of six women and six men — which is brilliant.

I’ve been really lucky to have a huge amount of success at the Shergar Cup, so much so that Ascot let me keep the trophy!

It’s pride of place on my mantelpiece and might just be my most prized possession, though I hope I can plonk the Silver Saddle next to it after today.

I’ve won the Silver Saddle — the award given to the jockey with the most points — on a record-equalling two occasions.

I’m tied for top honours with Richard Hughes, Fran Berry and Gerald Mosse at the moment, and I’d quite like to have the award outright.

Thankfully, all three of them are retired, and there’s no one else who has won the Silver Saddle before, so I’m not having to look over my shoulder.

It’s what I was aiming for last year, but I was as useless as a chocolate teapot — I didn’t even score a point!

Luckily my teammates Hollie Doyle and Saffie Osborne picked up the slack, but hopefully this year I can be a bit more useful to my co-stars, who are both making their debuts.

Joanna Mason needs no introduction — she’s the queen of the north and is immensely talented.

She’ll be taking advantage of every chance she gets on the track and has some great rides.

I don’t know Marie Velon personally, but she seems absolutely lovely from what I know and very fierce on the track!

Like me, she was the first jockey in her native country (France) to win a Group 1, so she deserves lots of respect.

I was already really excited for the big day, but even more so now that I’ve seen my rides!

Last year I didn’t get the rub of the green with the draw, that’s for sure, but I can’t say the same this time around . . . 

It’s hard to be confident because the races are always very competitive, but me and my teammates have some really good chances on paper.

I ride MUKER (1.35) in the opening Dash and although he does have some decent form in the book, Marie and Joanna have the better chances.

Marie rides Badri, who was narrowly beaten on stable debut last time and off the same mark, he has a really good chance of getting the ladies in front from the start.

I ride RANCH HAND (2.10) in the Stayers’ race, which is a bit funny because I actually know my teammate’s horses much better than my own!

I won on Tides Of War at Goodwood back in May and he would appreciate a strong pace, which he should get here.

I’m actually unbeaten on Spirit Mixer, who I rode once back in 2021. He’s been running well in tough races this year and things will fall right for him eventually — it could be today.

The bookies reckon I’ve got a favourite’s chance on TRUTHFUL (2.45) in the Challenge and I certainly wouldn’t put you off.

She ran well after a big break in a Listed race last month and dropped into a handicap, she could be well-treated.

She’s the first of two rides I have for top trainer William Haggas, as I also hop on SAM HAWKENS (3.55) in the Classic.

He’s just moved from Richard Hannon’s stable and a change of scenery can do these horses the world of good sometimes. He’s steadily improving on the figures and the ground would have been no help to him last time.

My biggest chance of a Shergar Cup winner goes in the last, as NEW IMAGE (4.30) has stellar claims for David O’Meara.

He’’s been a model of consistency this season, winning on three occasions since joining the yard from Ireland last summer.

He ran another cracker when nosed out of the International on the straight course here last time and a 3lb rise is probably fair.

He’s only had the nine career starts, so there should be more to come, and I’m sweet on his chances of winning again.

Whatever happens, I know it’ll be a brilliant day, but I do hope I’ll be popping the champagne at the end of the card.

That stuff really stings when it gets in your eyes, but you never mind if you’ve won the day.

It’s always difficult to go back to back, but I reckon us ladies can get it done.

FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing

Only gambles with money they can afford to lose

Never chases their losses

Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed

Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.