Hayley Turner solidified her status as the queen of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with a four-timer at Ascot, leading her Ladies team to victory for the third time in five years and earning her third Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle award for the top rider.
In her 17th appearance at the event, Turner secured the title by beating her teammate Joanna Mason in the final race, with New Image (100-30 favourite) triumphing in the Mile. This success brought Turner to 35 points, tying with Rachel Venniker but clinching the top spot on countback.
Turner praised the late Alistair Haggis for his role in the event's history and noted how the lack of trainer choices for riders helped her secure top mounts. Earlier, she won the Stayers race aboard Andrew Balding’s Ranch Hand (13-2) after a thrilling battle.
The Ladies team, including Turner, Mason, and Marie Velon, won the team prize, while Venniker and Rachel King were also impressed with early wins for the Rest of the World. Venniker, the only female professional jockey in South Africa, enjoyed a strong start aboard Holkham Bay (4-1 favourite), and King, riding for her old boss Alan King, secured a win with Insanity (9-2).
Billy Loughnane, just 18, showcased his potential with a victory on Jarraaf (5-6 favourite) in the Sprint. Europe’s sole win came from Going Remote (12-1) under Bauyrzhan Murzabayev in the Classic.