Saffie Osborne's dream Shergar Cup debut inspires last-gasp win for Ladies side at Ascot
Saffie Osborne stole the show – and the Shergar Cup trophy from her rivals – with a late strike at Ascot.
The 21-year-old's cool ride on Dark Trooper clinched a win for the Ladies team at Berkshire's all-star event. Its outcome went down to the wire, Osborne's effort enough to overhaul the Rest of the World side by five points.
In a dramatic conclusion, Ed Walker's 7-2 favourite had to be reshod before the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint and during it, drifted markedly left after passing almost the entire field.
Osborne, making her Cup debut, pipped Hollie Doyle on Scampi (11-2) in the 1m 3f Challenge – but her team-mate matched the double and bagged the top jockey award. The wins sparked celebrations for the pair and captain Hayley Turner, just hours after England's footballers powered past Colombia to reach the Women's World Cup semi-final.
"We [The Ladies] had quite a nice book of rides but you can only dream," said Osborne, whose team notched a third title in five years.
"It has been a great day.”
Earlier in the afternoon, super sub Thore Hammer Hansen put points on the board for the Frankie Dettori-led Europe trio.
Hammer Hansen, called up at the last minute to replace Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, had a willing partner in Perotto (100-30) who headed Fox Tal in the final stride of the Mile contest.
In Ireland, Bucanero Fuerte (9-4) stormed clear to open Adrian Murray's account at Group One level in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes. The trainer of a select team of horses – and owners Amo Racing – had never scaled such heights until Wootton Bassett's son colt ended Porta Fortuna’s unbeaten run by four lengths.
Diego Velazquez's odds were slashed to 8-1 with William Hill for the Derby and 2,000 Guineas after he romped home in the seven-furlong maiden. Originally due to start off earlier in the summer, Aidan O'Brien's hot favourite strode away from two fellow newcomers to win as he liked.
"Ryan (Moore, jockey) said he didn't even know he was racing until the last 50 yards so he looks very exciting," the Ballydoyle trainer said.
"We have always thought the world of him."
