This Saturday, 26th September Pat Taaffe (Rudiments – pictured above winning the Dingle Derby) will represent his country when ten Irish riders take on their British counterparts in the third running of the Shergar Cup of horse and pony racing in Ashbourne, Co Dublin at 13.15. This news will come as no surprise to those familiar with Pat’s form on the turf as this season (his first) he finished a very impressive fifth place at Horse & Pony Racing in the Irish Field Junior Jockey Championship.
The Shergar Cup is open to riders up to 16 years of age, who compete in horse and pony racing in Ireland or pony racing in Britain. The riders will compete in a series of ten races with each contestant getting three rides during the afternoon. Fairness is ensured by the device of having a draw to pair jockeys and mounts prior to the racing.
We wish Pat the best of luck and will follow his progress with considerable interest. Our spies also tell us that, among the horses entered, there is one bearing the noble name of Mr Bowen. Surely an omen…
Mr Declan O’Keeffe, Head of Communications