<p>Bengaluru: “I want to win at least one race. That will be big for Indian racing,” Suraj Narredu had told DH a week before flying to England for the Shergar Cup at the iconic Ascot Racecourse. </p>.<p>A day before the six-race event, the captain of Team Asia and only Indian in the 12-jockey field had promised to do the ‘Frankie Dettori jump’ if he won a race. On Saturday, Suraj managed to do both. </p>.<p>The 40-year-old from Bengaluru made history by becoming the first jockey from the country to win at the prestigious event after guiding Fireblade across the finish line in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers.</p>.<p>“I’m feeling on top of the world,” an elated Suraj told DH from Ascot. “My entire family being here and their support makes it even more special,” said the only Indian jockey, after his uncle Mallesh Narredu in 2009, to compete at the Shergar Cup. </p>.<p>Cantering trainer Dylan Cunha’s four-year-old to its full strength on the last stretch, Suraj maintained a decent lead to finish first ahead of good friend Karis Teetan, representing Team Rest of the World, riding Almuhit. <br />Suraj’s win came in the second of the five races he featured in on a sunny day at the racecourse situated in Ascot, Berkshire, about 25 miles west of London.</p>.Kuldeep Yadav should have played at Lord's and Manchester: Sourav Ganguly.<p>The Indian jockey and his team’s debut at the competition had more joy in store. Team Asia, comprising skipper Suraj along with two Japanese riders -- Mirai Iwata and Ryusei Sakai -- pipped Team Europe (67) by a point to claim the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with an overall score of 68 points.</p>.<p>Apart from Suraj’s win, Sakai steered Prince Of India (trained by Marco Botti) to victory in the Shergar Cup Sprint while finishing runner-up with Vespasian in the Shergar Cup Dash. Iwata managed to clinch second spot with Cerulean Bay in the sixth and final race - Shergar Cup Mile. </p>.<p>Besides winning the two-mile nine-rider contest with a time of 3 minutes 42.29 seconds, Suraj finished fifth (on Rosario) in the Shergar Cup Dash, eighth (on Claymore) in the Shergar Cup Challenge, fourth (on Up The Pace) in Shergar Cup Sprint and eighth (on Talis Evolvere) again in the Shergar Cup Mile.</p>.<p>“I hope the other regions like Hong Kong and Japan will notice my talent and I will get a chance to ride there as well. That’s the next dream. </p>.<p>“I’m really happy that I could represent Indian jockeys, the Indian racing fraternity and achieve this feat for India. I’m happy I could make all of you proud.” </p>.<p>Among the Narredus, a family invested in horse racing for three generations, cheering from the stands, uncle Mallesh perhaps would have been the most proud to watch his nephew walk out as a champion. </p>.<p>As for Suraj, with more than 2500 wins and four Indian Derby titles in his two decade-old career, the victory on English turf would not only be his most cherished but will also be remembered as an accomplishment for the Indian horse racing community. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: “I want to win at least one race. That will be big for Indian racing,” Suraj Narredu had told DH a week before flying to England for the Shergar Cup at the iconic Ascot Racecourse. </p>.<p>A day before the six-race event, the captain of Team Asia and only Indian in the 12-jockey field had promised to do the ‘Frankie Dettori jump’ if he won a race. On Saturday, Suraj managed to do both. </p>.<p>The 40-year-old from Bengaluru made history by becoming the first jockey from the country to win at the prestigious event after guiding Fireblade across the finish line in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers.</p>.<p>“I’m feeling on top of the world,” an elated Suraj told DH from Ascot. “My entire family being here and their support makes it even more special,” said the only Indian jockey, after his uncle Mallesh Narredu in 2009, to compete at the Shergar Cup. </p>.<p>Cantering trainer Dylan Cunha’s four-year-old to its full strength on the last stretch, Suraj maintained a decent lead to finish first ahead of good friend Karis Teetan, representing Team Rest of the World, riding Almuhit. <br />Suraj’s win came in the second of the five races he featured in on a sunny day at the racecourse situated in Ascot, Berkshire, about 25 miles west of London.</p>.Kuldeep Yadav should have played at Lord's and Manchester: Sourav Ganguly.<p>The Indian jockey and his team’s debut at the competition had more joy in store. Team Asia, comprising skipper Suraj along with two Japanese riders -- Mirai Iwata and Ryusei Sakai -- pipped Team Europe (67) by a point to claim the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with an overall score of 68 points.</p>.<p>Apart from Suraj’s win, Sakai steered Prince Of India (trained by Marco Botti) to victory in the Shergar Cup Sprint while finishing runner-up with Vespasian in the Shergar Cup Dash. Iwata managed to clinch second spot with Cerulean Bay in the sixth and final race - Shergar Cup Mile. </p>.<p>Besides winning the two-mile nine-rider contest with a time of 3 minutes 42.29 seconds, Suraj finished fifth (on Rosario) in the Shergar Cup Dash, eighth (on Claymore) in the Shergar Cup Challenge, fourth (on Up The Pace) in Shergar Cup Sprint and eighth (on Talis Evolvere) again in the Shergar Cup Mile.</p>.<p>“I hope the other regions like Hong Kong and Japan will notice my talent and I will get a chance to ride there as well. That’s the next dream. </p>.<p>“I’m really happy that I could represent Indian jockeys, the Indian racing fraternity and achieve this feat for India. I’m happy I could make all of you proud.” </p>.<p>Among the Narredus, a family invested in horse racing for three generations, cheering from the stands, uncle Mallesh perhaps would have been the most proud to watch his nephew walk out as a champion. </p>.<p>As for Suraj, with more than 2500 wins and four Indian Derby titles in his two decade-old career, the victory on English turf would not only be his most cherished but will also be remembered as an accomplishment for the Indian horse racing community. </p>