DOLAN, BOWMAN SHINE AT ASCOT

By Graham Potter | Sunday, August 10, 2025

WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING!

Brisbane based, Melbourne Cup winning, Irish born jockey Robbie Dolan has hit a high note in England, riding a winner in the Shergar International Jockeys’ Series at Ascot.

Like all of the jockey’s involved, Dolan enjoyed privileged participation in the event after being invited to represent the Great Britain and Ireland team in the four team contest and, while Great Britian and Ireland finished in third place, riding his first winner at the iconic Ascot track will forever remain very much a part of the legacy of Dolan and, judging by his reaction, will undoubtedly be high on his list of memorable moments.

“It means everything,” said Dolan who couldn’t help himself as he sang ‘We Are The Champions’ with unbridled joy as he brought his winner Night Breeze, a 11-4 favourite back to scale after saluting in the Challenge.

Always ready to acknowledge how he got here, speaking after the win, Dolan reaffirmed the fact that, “Winning the Melbourne Cup definitely changed my life. It has made me want more and to get that feeling again. I would not be competing in the Shergar Cup if I had not won that race."
_______________________________________________________________________

TALK ABOUR LONGEVITY!

Hong Kong based, 100 plus Group 1 winning, New South Wales born Hugh Bowman put yet another exclamation mark on a career filled with notable achievements when he won the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle award for the leading rider at the Shergar International Jockeys’ Series at Ascot in England.

This was Bowman’s second Silver Saddle award, in three starts, on Shergar Cup day. Quite incredibly, his first win came no less than eighteen years ago in 2007.

Bowman, riding for the Rest Of The World team, won the opening leg of the series on Vintage Clarets and scored points in two other races to arrive at the winning total of 32 points.

“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,” said Bowman, as reported by The Standard.

“It is a unique track. When you ride here, regardless of the occasion, there’s a sense of pride and a sense of occasion.”
_____________________________________________________________________

TEAM ASIA WINS SHERGAR INTERNATIONAL JOCKEY'S SERIES ON DEBUT

The 2025 Shergar International Jockeys’ Series at Ascot was won by the Asian team who posted two victories on the day.

Team Asia, who were making their debut in the series, posted two victories on the card, Suraj Narredu guided Fireblade to victory and Ryusei Sakai saluted on Prince Of India in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.

They beat Team Europe home by a single point (68 to 67).

More articles