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).

In support of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme, The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust have approved a cumulative donation of HK$41 million since its launch to support the implementation of all four cohorts. Following a positive response to the programme’s two Club-supported summer study tours over the past two years, the Club is once again supporting 100 mentees from the fourth cohort to take part in a six-day study tour to Guizhou this summer.

Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (first row, 11th right); Sr Tony Wan, Chief Executive Officer of Po Leung Kuk (first row, 10th right); and the Club’s mentors and other participants at West Kowloon Station before departing to Guizhou. Photo source: HKJC

The Club's continued support for the programme and the study tour reflects the Club’s commitment to youth development. It is also aligned with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the goals set out in the Government's Youth Development Blueprint, which seek to nurture a new generation of young people equipped with a global perspective, a positive mindset, and affection for Hong Kong and the country.

A welcome dinner was held last night (3 August), attended by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Shi Peixin, Director of the CPPCC Guizhou Provincial Committee for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Affairs; Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs; Dr Jenny Tam, Chairman of Po Leung Kuk; and other guests, including three Club mentors.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Shi Peixin, Director of the CPPCC Guizhou Provincial Committee for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Affairs (3rd right); Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (3rd left); Dr Jenny Tam, Chairman of Po Leung Kuk (2nd right); and other guests attended the Strive and Rise Programme Guizhou study tour welcome dinner. Photo source: HKJC

Speaking at the dinner, Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, expressed his appreciation to the Club for its ongoing support of the Strive and Rise Programme in its capacity as Vice-chairperson of the Partners’ Board. He highlighted the Club’s contributions to all four cohorts, including the sponsorship of the Guizhou study tour and the nomination of mentors. He noted that these initiatives help broaden young people’s horizons, enhance their learning and strengthen their confidence, and encouraged participants to make the most of the exchange by learning more about the country’s development and planning for their future aspirations.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (middle); and Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (right), engage with mentees during the dinner. Photo source: HKJC

Nurturing children and youth in families is one of the key impact programmes of the Club’s charities strategy. Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, said the Club believes that investing in young people is an investment in the future of Hong Kong and the nation. Over the years, the Club has continuously supported Hong Kong youngsters to participate in exchange and learning programmes in the Chinese Mainland. Through field visits and first-hand experiences, participants can deepen their understanding of the nation’s development, broaden their horizons and advance their personal development. The Strive and Rise Programme’s Chinese Mainland study tour is a key initiative supported by the Club. Over the past two years, study tours to Hangzhou and Sichuan received widespread positive feedback. The Club is pleased to also be supporting this year’s Guizhou study tour. In addition to providing sponsorship, the Club has also contributed to tour programme planning and arranged for Club mentors and their mentees to take part together.

He added that Guizhou has made remarkable achievements in recent years, particularly in rural revitalisation and the integration of culture and tourism. He believes that, over the coming days, participants will not only experience the province’s spectacular natural landscapes but also witness first-hand the vibrancy and momentum of the nation’s development. The tour promises to be a rare and rewarding learning journey. Beyond gaining knowledge and building friendships, participants will develop a broader outlook, while gaining confidence and courage to embrace the future.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (3rd from the right); and Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (3rd from the left), engage with mentees during the dinner. Photo source: HKJC

During the six-day visit to Guizhou, the mentees will visit FAST (the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, and the National Big Data (Guizhou) Comprehensive Pilot Zone Communication and Experience Center. These visits will provide insights into the province's development in innovation and technology, the digital economy, aerospace science, and transport infrastructure. The mentees will also visit places like Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village to experience the region's ethnic minority culture, and the Zunyi Conference Site to deepen their understanding of the nation's history. They will also have the opportunity to watch the popular "Village T" fashion showcase to learn how innovative cultural initiatives can contribute to rural revitalisation.

The first cohort of the Strive and Rise Programme was launched in 2022. Through tripartite collaboration with the HKSAR Government, the business sector and the community, the programme aims to help secondary one to four school students set goals for the future and strive for upward mobility. As one of the Vice-Chairpersons of the Programme’s Partners’ Board, the Club has not only provided financial support but also nominated its employees, together with the Jockey Club scholars and fellows, to become volunteer mentors.

Mentees visit FAST (the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, to learn about the country's achievements in astronomy and scientific innovation. Photo source: HKJC

Across the first three cohorts of the programme, over 110 people were nominated. This year, more than 45 individuals have been nominated as mentors for the programme's fourth cohort. In addition, mentees are invited to visit Club facilities, including Tai Kwun, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, the Equine Hospital and Tuen Mun Public Riding School.

The Club has also provided complimentary tickets for programme mentors and mentees to attend events supported by the Club. These included activities under the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, such as the Hong Kong premiere of Horse Power documentary film and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: Dance Drama Cavalry.

The Club’s support for the Strive and Rise Programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Mentees visit Zunyi Conference Site to deepen their understanding of the nation's history. Photo source: HKJC