Jerry Chau, Luke Ferraris Celebrate Ascot Breakthroughs as Team Great Britain & Ireland Wins Shergar Cup

Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris enjoyed dream debuts in Great Britain on Saturday (8 August) at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with breakthrough wins from their first rides, while Team Hong Kong fell valiantly short of overall success behind Team Great Britain & Ireland.

Chau, 26, patiently guided Tuco Salamanca between runners to strike his landmark win in the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap (1000m) before Ferraris, 24, pounced late aboard Dancing In Paris to capture the Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap (3190m), with both victories lifting Team Hong Kong to an early lead with 15 points awarded for each triumph.

Jerry Chau jubilates following his maiden success at Ascot. Photo source: HKJC

Chau said: “I’m so excited now. I’m very happy I could win the first one then Luke won the second for our team. It’s a lovely feeling to ride at this track. It has uphill and downhill, and it is a very different experience to Hong Kong. I’m very happy I can ride with top jockeys.”

Trained by Ollie Sangster, Tuco Salamanca settled off the pace as Chau bided his time. Let loose late, the four-year-old gelding sailed past a defiant Gold Star Hero – rated an outsider in the race at 19/1 odds – under Team Hong Kong’s captain, Vincent Ho, by one and a half lengths in a winning time of 58.61s.

Jerry Chau and Tuco Salamanca take out the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap. Photo source: HKJC

“He was a very calm horse down to the gates and I was pretty confident with him because he saved a lot of energy before the race. He jumped pretty good and I just let him follow – which (is what) they told me to do. After the 400 (metre mark) I knew he could win – he gave me a very good finish,” Chau said. “They trained him very well.”

Hugging the inside rail behind the leader, Ferraris peeled the Ian Williams-trained Dancing In Paris into clear space over the final 200m to edge a length in front of Shrimp Shady and Ryan Moore in a time of 3m 29.38s, earning the award for the Shergar Cup’s Ride of the Day.

Ferraris said: “It definitely lived up to expectations, walking through the archway when it’s for you is very special. It’s really special to have my family here and some of their friends. It’s great to be representing Hong Kong and hopefully doing them proud.

“Well done to the trainer and connections. I was a bit worried it was going to catch him out that last bend, but he got a great tow up the hill. When he got inside the final furlong (200m), he still had gears.”

Luke Ferraris celebrates victory aboard Dancing In Paris at Ascot. Photo source: HKJC

Four-time LONGINES World’s Best Jockey (2014, 2016, 2021 & 2023) Ryan Moore, making his first Shergar Cup appearance since 2006, won two of the programme’s six races to help Team Great Britain & Ireland secure first prize.

Moore got the best out of the Dylan Cunha-trained Asgard’s Captain in the Shergar Cup Challenge Handicap (2392m) before driving Archers Bay for Marco Botti – trainer of Sha Tin Group 1 winner Giavellotto – to victory in the Shergar Cup Classic Handicap (2392m).

Saffie Osborne – team captain of Great Britain & Ireland – middled Moore’s brace aboard Red Spells Danger for trainer Tim Easterby in the Shergar Cup Sprint Handicap (1200m), defeating race favourite Thunder Call and Chau, who rallied gamely into second place.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, attends the Shergar Cup to cheer on Team Hong Kong. Photo source: HKJC

Great Britain & Ireland led 71-62 over Team Hong Kong heading into the finale, the Shergar Cup Mile (1594m), which was won by jockey Frida Valle Skar aboard the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Crown Board for Team Europe, who were first and second in the contest to match Team Hong Kong’s 62 points, but placed third at the conclusion following a countback due to Team Hong Kong’s two wins.

Great Britain & Ireland boosted their tally to 81 points following Moore’s third aboard Ozat in the closing race, while the Rest of the World team were fourth overall on 39 points. Moore secured the Silver Saddle having accumulated the most points for his team.

Ho said: Overall, I’m really happy and I am really with the team. A winner each for them and some placings as well, so it was really good. Ascot is a great racetrack to race on, and the atmosphere is always great. Also, with all of the top jockeys in the world everyone raced super clean and tidy. Everyone performed really good.”

Vincent Ho makes his second appearance at the Shergar Cup. Photo source: HKJC

Ho will next ride at Deauville in France on Sunday, 9 August, where he’ll partner Group 2 winner Ponntos in the Listed Prix du Cercle (1000m).

Around 4,300 children and youths in Hong Kong are unable to live with their families due to challenging life circumstances. To support them in building positive life trajectories and brighter futures, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has created and funded JC Project Bonfire with a commitment of over HK$820 million. As Hong Kong’s first and largest initiative of its kind, the project supports young people receiving Residential Child Care Services through personalised support, community networks and cross-sector collaboration.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Today (25 September) marked the official launch of the project and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. The launch ceremony was officiated by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire; and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said the Club believes that children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds, should enjoy equal opportunities for development, enabling them to realise their talents and contribute to society. For this reason, “fairer opportunities” is one of the Club’s key impact areas. Through cross-sector collaboration, the Club has launched a diverse range of initiatives and expanded support networks to help people from different communities realise their potential and enhance their quality of life. JC Project Bonfire is one such initiative.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left); and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service (1st right), officiate at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

At the heart of JC Project Bonfire is the Positive Trajectory Framework, an evidence-based model that supports children and young people in five key developmental areas: health, trusted relationships, sense of purpose, social capital, and future navigation competencies. To date, 65 dedicated Trajectory Development Coordinators have each completed 150 hours of professional training, supporting 2,300 children and young people by co-creating personalised development plans, connecting them to diverse opportunities and building community support networks that foster positive life trajectories. The project has also established collaborations with more than 250 community partners.

Club Steward Bernard Chan delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong Photo source: HKJC

The project provides tailored support across both small group homes and foster care services. For children and youths in small group homes, the project focuses on strengthening their long term development and expanding access to opportunities and support networks. For those in foster care, support extends to both foster and biological families through programmes that promote family engagement, facilitate family reunification where appropriate, and equip young people with skills and support as they prepare for independent living.

Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left) and two foster parents. Photo source: HKJC

A key feature of the project is the JC Bonfire Hub, which serves as a collaborative platform where children and youths, families, caregivers, professionals and community partners can connect, learn and grow together. The hub opened today in San Po Kong is the second community hub under the project, building on the success of the first in Tuen Mun. Addressing the challenges and needs faced by foster parents, it provides professional training, respite and peer support, while fostering a supportive community network and a nurturing environment for a sense of belonging. In this caring and stable environment, children and young people can grow with confidence, security and hope for the future.

Guests tour the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The Club’s support for JC Project Bonfire, like all its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC