S’manga Khumalo to ride in the Shergar Cup
A GBI Racing press release issued today indicates the level of excitement and anticipation around the international jockey challenge at Ascot on Saturday. Recently crowned SA champion jockey S’manga Khumalo leaves for the UK on Tuesday.
Highlight on Saturday is the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, which pitches four teams of jockeys, including a global foursome, against each other in the renowned riders’ challenge at Ascot.
One of the most eye-catching riders is S’manga Khumalo. After bursting on to the scene a few years ago, Khumalo, nicknamed “Bling” on account of his peroxide blond hair, has won a plethora of Grade 1 races in South Africa, notably last year’s Durban July on Heavy Metal.
In doing so, he made history by becoming the first black South African to ride the winner of the continent of Africa’s premier race.
S’manga will ride in the UK for the first time in next month’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup (Saturday, August 9), alongside Japanese legends Yutaka Take (captain) and Yuichi Fukunaga, on the Rest of the World team.
“Winning the Durban July was my career highlight and sent a message to all black South Africans that racing is a sport for all in the modern era,” said S’manga.
“To be recognised globally and invited to ride in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on the back of that victory is another very proud moment for me and I look forward to meeting and riding with the two Japanese legends in the Rest of the World Team.”
Take, the 18-time Japanese champion, has partnered four winners at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, while Fukunaga has ridden just once in the competition back in 2006.
On the Girls’ team, Hayley Turner will make her eighth appearance in the competition having missed last year due to injury.
She is joined by Canadian star, Emma-Jayne Wilson, who participated in the competition in 2006 and 2012, and Steffi Hofer from Germany, daughter of trainer Mario Hofer, making her Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debut.
Frankie Dettori will be up against S’manga at Ascot
Hofer commented: “Whilst being in the top six or seven jockeys riding, numerically, in Germany this year, I never thought I would get a chance to take part at this level – this has come as a huge endorsement.”
For Europe, Frankie Dettori and Andrea Atzeni, making his debut in the competition, will ride so long as they are not claimed to ride elsewhere by their retaining owners.
Their confirmed team-mate, also making his debut in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, will be Dutch rider Adrie de Vries, who is based in Germany.
For Great Britain & Ireland, Tom Queally will captain the team and it is hoped he will be joined by Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes, who are keen to take part but may be subject to stable claims.
Points are awarded 15, 10, 7, 5, 3 for the first five horses home with 4 points for a non-runner.
