'He's reaping the dividends' - Callan stars as GB & Ireland scoop Shergar Cup

A rampant Neil Callan rode a treble at Newmarket on Friday night, and he underlined his fine form by claiming the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle as part of the successful Great Britain and Ireland team at Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

The Ascot event, which took place on a glorious Saturday, had already been won by Callan's team but the jockeys' title was still up for grabs going into the last race, which the rider captured on the Harry Dunlop-trained Adaay In Asia.

"We were quite pleased to get Neil," said the Lambourn trainer. "I probably shouldn't say that, but he gave the horse a super ride and was very bullish going out, which was nice to hear."

The victory meant Callan, who landed the 7f classified stakes on Orbaan, emerged on top on 50 points but the dominance of his side was reflected by captain Jamie Spencer finishing second with 37 points, four clear of Kieran Shoemark, who was also on the teamsheet.

The 44-year-old, also a winner at the 2009 and 2017 Shergar Cups, said: "It's been a great day. I thought my best rides were my first and my last and the two in between performed above expectations.

"I was relaxed going into the last and let Adaay In Asia do her thing, and she did."

"There's nothing to dislike about the event," he added. "It's a great day at a premier track with fantastic prize-money and competitive fields. It's just not about racing people and punting; there are families and kids here today and they are the next generation who we need to be pushing this sport to.

"This is my third time taking part and I'm three for three so I might have to retire now!"

Callan, who spent more than a decade riding in Hong Kong before returning to Britain last year, is not, of course, planning to quit anytime soon and is determined to make a name for himself once more.

Spencer, who rose through the ranks with the day's star player, feels that is within Callan's grasp.

He said: "When you ride in Hong Kong for that length of time you have to perform and most people don't last that long there. He's tactically astute and always has been. He's reaping the dividends now."

ITV Racing's Matt Chapman gets a soaking from Jamie SpencerCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Spencer, who soaked ITV Racing's Matt Chapman in champagne during the presentation ceremony, was making his seventh appearance at the Shergar Cup, and added: "It suits us and it's a good day to come if you don't have massive commitments with owners.

"James [Doyle], William [Buick] and Ryan [Moore] have commitments so they can't do it, but I'm always happy to come here."

The former champion jockey himself produced two masterclass rides on Themaxwecan (Stayers) and Hamaki (Classic), and said: "I had decent rides and it worked out. Sometimes it doesn't and of course I don't mind coming second to Neil, who rode really well too.

"As a team we had a good bunch of rides and the scoreboard [winning by 51 points from the Ladies' team] said that at the end."

Shergar Cup results, replays and analysis

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