'It'll be something to tell my children' - Shergar Cup excites top-level jockey

Australian-based jockey Jason Collett will do all he can to showcase his talents in the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday with the intention of securing a big European-trained ride in the Melbourne Cup later this year.

The jockey competes in the northern hemisphere for the first time this weekend and is eager to make an impression on local trainers with Melbourne in mind, as he believes they have "far superior" stayers than those in Australia.

Earlier this week, 43 of the 186 nominations made for the Melbourne Cup were international challengers and at this early stage New Zealander Collett wanted to make his availability clear.

He has five rides on Saturday, teaming up with Andrew Balding, Michael Bell and Charlie and Mark Johnston.

"If there’s any Melbourne Cup hopes here I’ll happily put my name forward," he said. "I’d love to get on one. The stayers here are far superior to what we produce in the southern hemisphere. At present, I’m available and I’ll be looking to make a good impression."

This weekend, Collett will form part of the Rest of the World quartet, one of four teams competing in the unique team event. captains a side which also includes Japan's and and they are up against a team from Great Britain and Ireland and, reigning champions the Ladies and Europe.

Riding at Ascot and in Britain is another milestone for Collett, who has quickly established himself as one of Australia's top riders. He arrives after a career-best season of 122 winners, three at Group 1 level.

He also rode the great racemare Winx in the early days of her career and has endured the highs and lows of life as a professional jockey in the last few months.

"Back in March I was having a really good run in the Sydney Autumn Carnival," he said. "I’d picked off two Group 1s in a week and then three days later I was out on the track with a fractured clavicle.

"It was disappointing as I was hitting the right wave and frustrating too, but it’s good to get back and have this opportunity.

Christophe Lemaire will captain the Rest of the World team which includes CollettCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It’ll be great riding at Ascot, I’m really looking forward to it. Unless I have a very good horse to come over for, I don’t think I’ll have the opportunity again. There’s a lot of history here, so it’ll be good. It’ll be something to tell my children."

His team captain Lemaire was in a confident mood at Thursday's media event for the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored competition. He is making only his second appearance at the fixture but hopes to lead the Rest of the World team to an eighth win.

The French-born jockey has not ridden in Britain since 2016 but he previously had plenty of success, including in the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas. Since moving to Japan, he has regularly landed top-level winners and made history by becoming the first non-native to win the jockeys' championship.

Lemaire said: "It’s been a long time since I've ridden here but I’m glad to be back in such a beautiful and iconic place. It’s always a pleasure to ride here because of the atmosphere, the quality of the horses and the people around. I’m proud to be part of the Shergar Cup.

"There’s no pressure, but I’ve got some responsibility and I hope to lead my team to the winner’s enclosure. We’ve got experience and freshness in the team. I’m very confident."

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