Team Europe: Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

On Saturday 11th August four teams will battle it out to win the coveted Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Trophy. Over the next 4 days we will announce each of the teams competing and today we focus on the European Team:

 
The Team Anthem - Yolanda Be Cool & DCup’s ‘We No Speak Americano’


Frankie Dettori (Captain, Italy) - Plain Silks


Born in Milan on December 15, 1970, the son of Gianfranco, 13-time champion jockey in Italy, Frankie (christened Lanfranco) Dettori arrived from his homeland to join Luca Cumani's Newmarket yard as an apprentice in July, 1985. His first success came on Rif at Turin, Italy, on November 16, 1986, and he rode his first British winner on Lizzy Hare at Goodwood on June 9, 1987.

 He has since captured the hearts of racegoers with his flamboyant style, phenomenal riding successes, and charisma in and out of the saddle. Champion jockey in 1994, 1995 and 2004, Dettori created history when riding all seven winners on the Saturday at the Ascot Festival in September, 1996. His ground-breaking exertions brought recognition beyond racing's own sphere when he was voted into third place in the 1996 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards and was a team captain on 'A Question Of Sport'.

 
He has ridden well over 3,000 winners with more than 900 of them being for Godolphin, including 110 at Group One level. Dettori, who survived a horrific plane crash at Newmarket in 2000 in which the pilot was killed, is married to Catherine. They have five children and live near Newmarket.



Previous Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup wins (3): 1999 Mythical Girl, Diktat; 2004 Justaquestion; 2007 Strategic Mount

Andreas Suborics (Germany) - Hoops Silks
Andreas Suborics was born on August 11, 1971, in Vienna, Austria. He rode his first winner on Donjana at Vienna on April 4, 1988, and moved from his homeland to Germany in 1993 and is currently based in Cologne. His first major win on the European scene came at Longchamp in the 1996 Group One Prix de la Foret, partnering A Magicman to victory. Suborics has gone on to enjoy success at the highest level around the world.
 
In recent seasons, the most famous horse he has partnered is the superstar Hungarian sprinter Overdose although the partnership was denied a famous victory in the 2008 Prix de l'Abbaye when the race was declared void. In March, 2010, Suborics sustained head injuries following a fall when riding work in Hong Kong and, on medical advice, announced his retirement that August. However, in December, 2010, the jockey revealed that he had made an excellent recovery and had been given the green light by doctors to resume his riding career. He has participated in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup three times - in 2002, 2003 and 2007.

No previous Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup wins


Cristian Demuro (Italy) - Stars Silks

Italian champion jockey Cristian Demuro, born on July 8, 1992, is the youngest brother of five-time Italian champion jockey Mirco Demuro. Cristian grew up in Rome and had experience with show jumpers before joining the Pisa Racing School. He graduated in 2008 and joined Bruno Grizzetti's stable - one of the leading yards in Italy. 

In 2011, Demuro rode in Japan between January and March before returning to Italy and partnering an astonishing 222 winners to be crowned champion jockey. He also gained his first winner at Meydan, Dubai, on Averroes in a 14-furlong handicap on December 31.  Demuro went back to Japan earlier this year and enjoyed a successful spell, winning the Grade Three Himba Stakes on Donau Blue on January 29 and the Grade Three Tulip Show on Hana's Girl on March 3. Since his return to Italy in mid-March, Demuro has amassed over 100 winners including a Group Three victory on Noble Hachy in the Premio Carlo Chiesa in April. Demuro has had 16 Listed race winners and four Group Three winners in his career to date. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup introduces Demuro to British racing. His older brother has been riding here since May.

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debut.

To find out whether the European Team win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, purchase a ticket today. Tickets from £26 per person. Generous group discounts available. To book, call 0844 346 3000 or visit ascot.co.uk

Frankie Dettori to Carry Olympic Torch

It’s been confirmed that one of horseracing’s most loved personalities will be carrying the Olympic Flame when it reaches the world-famous Ascot Racecourse, tomorrow afternoon (10th July).

 

Frankie Dettori, who is best known for his magnificent seven winners in one day at Ascot, will be passed the Torch as it makes its way from Ascot High Street, into the racecourse for a circuit of the Parade Ring.

As ambassador of the prestigious QIPCO British Champions Series, Frankie will be further adding to the spectacle on the day by carrying the Torch on horseback. He will be riding former top-class racehorse, Monsignor, on loan from racehorse rehoming charity HEROS.

Speaking of his Olympic Torchbearing challenge, Dettori said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to carry the Olympic Flame, especially at a track that holds such happy memories for me. I’ll be watching when the Flame reaches its final destination and the Olympic Games can begin.”

Members of the public can also share in the special moment at the racecourse, which will be opening its gates to the public for free from 3pm, with the Torch expected to arrive in Ascot at 4.26pm and at the racecourse itself at 4.35pm.

Gates will remain open until 7.30pm and there will be a range of additional activities taking place on the course, including a fun-fair – with rides charged at a modest cost – and live music from the band, Ascot Brass. There will also be stalls offering a variety of refreshment options.