Hugh Bowman made a blistering start to Shergar Cup day with a win in the opener aboard Vintage Clarets, and two more placed efforts were enough for the 45-year-old to edge a tight race to win his second Shergar Cup Silver Saddle as leading rider.
The award – named after one of the prime movers in establishing the Shergar Cup, the late Ascot communications manager Alistair Haggis – could still have gone to any one of 11 jockeys entering the final leg but, although Sweden’s Per-Anders Graberg surged from tenth to second thanks to his win on Ebt’s Guard, Bowman secured the prize with an invaluable seven points for third on Urban Lion.
“We’ve had a good afternoon. Obviously we won the first race and have a had a couple of others who ran very well. It’s my second silver saddle in three attempts. It’s good fun and a more relaxed environment than a normal raceday, particularly when you’re riding against different jockeys from different corners of the world.
“It’s usually in a major race when the stakes are very high and it’s very important for everyone. As important as this is, it’s a little more relaxed.”
When it was put to Bowman that he could now give one Silver Saddle to each of his daughters, he quipped: “Yeah, I can split them up, poor old Mum and Dad miss out again!
“I’m very proud to win the saddle again. It’s great to see the racegoers come and support the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup because it is a wonderful annual event. It’s recognised globally and it’s great to be a part of it.”
Now based full-time in Hong Kong, Australian-born Bowman had the most experience of Ascot apart from home favourites Hollie Doyle and Jo Mason, and he put that to good effect when kicking Vintage Clarets clear for an all-important 15 points in leg 1.
Bowman said: “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to ride here this year, representing the Rest of the World team, and to be back at the Royal Ascot track, it’s hallowed ground, it’s an honour.
Vintage Clarets and Hugh Bowman win the Shergar Cup DashCredit: Edward Whitaker
“It certainly helps, because it is a unique track. When you ride here, regardless of the occasion, there’s a sense of pride and a sense of occasion. So it’s a very testing track for horse and rider, and having been here before certainly helps.”
Bowman’s second title came 18 years on from his winning debut in 2007, and he joins Fran Berry, Gerald Mosse and Richard Hughes as dual winners, one behind the three victories of Shergar Cup record-holder Hayley Turner.
Graberg leapfrogged eight rivals to grab second with his win in the last while Ryusei Sakai finished third, his 25 points the single biggest contribution to Team Asia’s winning total of 68.
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