Asia’s Suraj Narredu became the first Indian jockey to ride a winner at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup as he guided Fireblade (13/2) to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers.
In a steadily run two-mile contest, the 40-year-old was the first to strike for home on Fireblade, a full brother to Cracksman, who kept on finding to repel all-comers by almost two lengths.
Rest of the World captain Karis Teetan drove Almuhit (8/1) into second, a length and a half in front of Artisan Dancer (7/1), who kept on down the outside under Europe’s Per-Anders Graberg.
Narredu, who performed a Frankie Dettori flying dismount, said: “Absolutely fabulous, I can’t explain my happiness. I have been waiting for this day, it’s a big day for us Indians and for the entire Indian racing fraternity. It is my dream come true to have a winner at Ascot.
“My family is here, including my uncle [Malesh] – he is the one who came here and rode in 2009 – and I’m sure I made his dream come true. For all the family, my kids, my wife, my parents, it’s amazing that they’re here to cheer me on. There is nothing better than this.”
On the race, he added: “Karis [Teetan, on Almuhit] was going too slow. He was going at a crawl! I kept yelling at him for two furlongs to step up, but he wouldn’t do it. I was lucky to find a spot to get out and make ground; I had to make the other guys stay and that’s what we did. The last three furlongs, it was brilliant.
‘‘The flying dismount was definitely a tribute to my hero. It is a dream come true to do something like this over here. On Thursday I came to have a picture here without a horse. I wanted to be in this winner’s enclosure. Now I have done it with a horse.
‘‘All the effort we have put in in the last three or four months with the Shergar Cup in mind has paid off today. My family has done a lot to support me, so big thanks to them and all my well-wishers. Thanks to all the prayers and blessings of India, we have done it.’’
Narredu’s uncle Malesh, who rode in the 2009 Shergar Cup, said: ‘‘He has worked hard on his fitness coming into the Shergar Cup. He wanted to be at his best. I could see him working really hard at home and it has paid off. I have already had calls from back home with the Indian flag being in the winner’s enclosure. It is a great moment for all of us. I am very proud.’’
William Jarvis, representing winning trainer Dylan Cunha, said: “I am so happy for Dylan and the team at Phantom House, and I am thrilled for Suraj, who gave him a lovely ride. I gave him the instructions and he followed them absolutely to the letter. There was no pace early on, he used his initiative and kicked off the bend, wonderful ride.
“We bought the horse from the Gosdens at the start of the year and Dylan has done really well with him. He has won two races and he’s been placed on occasions as well. He is a lovely horse to have.”
Karis Teetan said of runner-up Almuhit: “That was a good run. He did everything right. I tried to hold him up back here from the mile – I thought I had an easy section until that horse made a run, but my horse was gutsy and ran well. This is a great event, it’s fantastic to be here and be part of this.”
Almuhit’s trainer Faye Bramley said: “He ran really well. He is a consistent horse and we are really pleased with the run. The pace was probably a little bit too slow for him, if they’d rallied on a bit, I think he might have stayed on.
On the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup as an event, she said: “It is such a big stage, especially for somebody like me. I have watched it ever since I started in racing and I absolutely love the day, so to have a runner here is amazing – and to have a placed horse is even better.