In an exclusive interview with BettingSites.co.uk, this year’s Shergar Cup girls captain Hayley Turner lifts the lid on her King George fancy ahead of Saturday’s big Ascot race and if she thinks Frankie Dettori is retiring at the right time.
The four-time Royal Ascot winning jockey also believes she’s got a ‘solid team’ ahead of her 16th appearance at the Shergar Cup on August 12th, where she’ll once again captain the girls team in the big Ascot event.
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Interview Highlights:
- Frankie right to retire, but don’t rule out the odd comeback
- I’d love to see Pyledriver win the King George again
- My Shergar Cup girls team looks the most solid
Frankie right to retire, but don’t rule out the odd comeback
At the age of 52 Frankie Dettori will hang up his riding boots at the end of this year, with the Melbourne Cup on November 7th being talked about as his final race. Hayley Turner was asked if she thought he is right to retire, or should he carry on.
“Yeah, I get on really well with Frankie (Dettori) and think it’s the right time – he’s dedicated his life to racing and deserves to retire now. But I think there will always be the odd comeback at certain meetings.
I’d love to see Pyledriver win the King George again
The 2023 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this Saturday is being billed as the ‘flat race of the season’ so far and it’s easy to see why. We’ve the Epsom Derby 1st and second in Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel, plus the last two Coronation Cup winners Emily Upjohn and Hukum as expected runners.
However, when asked about the big weekend Group 1 race, Hayley Turner is hoping for a repeat of last year with the current champ Pyledriver doing the business again.
“It’s a hot race – an amazing race – but I’d like Pyledriver to win. Who did well last time at Royal Ascot (1st Hardwicke Stakes) after a lay-off and so could have a bit more to come.”
My Shergar Cup girls team looks the most solid
Hayley Turner and the Shergar Cup go ‘hand-in-hand’ as this year’s fixture on Saturday, August 12th will be her record-extending 16th appearance at the Ascot team event. Turner, who has also won two silver saddles (top rider), will once again captain the ‘Girls Team’ and when asked about her squad (Hollie Doyle & Saffie Osborne), she could not be happier.
“I really love Saffie (Osborne) – she’s funny and really good fun and obviously we’ve got Hollie (Doyle), who I love, too, so a great team. It totally depends on the draw on the day, but I think we’ve got the most solid-looking team.”
Hayley Turner OBE is an English jockey born in Nottingham, who competes in flat racing. Hayley has won 8 Group races across her 15 year career, including two Group 1 races and a Grade 1 race. Other notable highlights from her career include becoming the first woman jockey to ride 100 UK flat race winners in a calendar year (2008). Hayley also won the July Cup and Nunthorpe Stakes races in 2011. She retired from racing in 2015 to pursue a career in racing commentary on ITV Racing. However, since 2018, Hayley has come out of retirement and has ridden three winners at Royal Ascot.
