Shane Gray yet another jockey to benefit from an owner who maybe isn't as ruthless as he's sometimes made out to be

Shane Gray enjoys big-race success aboard Volterra in the Bet MGM Challenge Cup at Ascot on Saturday

Shane Gray enjoys big-race success aboard Volterra in the Challenge Cup at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Rossa Ryan was not the only rider to celebrate the biggest win of his career at the weekend, with Shane Gray showing what he is capable of given the right ammunition when landing the £180,000 BetMGM-backed Challenge Cup at Ascot aboard Volterra.

A high-flying apprentice almost a decade ago, Gray is on course for his best season since partnering 65 winners in 2015, and big-race success in front of the ITV cameras is hardly going to hurt the 29-year-old's career.

After riding his first winner at Ascot, Gray praised Volterra's owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who was happy to turn to a rider – who was zero from three in his colours – despite there being plenty of 'bigger names' to choose from.

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Published on 8 October 2024inAnother View

Last updated 14:00, 8 October 2024

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