New Delhi, Aug 8 (NationPress) India’s leading jockey Suraj Narredu, celebrated for winning the Indian Derby four times, is gearing up to showcase his talent internationally as he takes the helm of Team Asia at the Shergar Cup in Dubai.

The Narredu family has been a significant force in India’s horse racing scene since the 1980s. Motivated by his father Satish and inspired by his uncle Malesh’s remarkable performance at Ascot sixteen years ago, Suraj, a triple consecutive winner of the Indian Derby, is eager to extend this legacy as Team Asia makes its debut at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

At just 40 years old, Suraj has achieved over 2,400 career victories, which include 110 Classics and more than 250 Group races. He has been crowned India’s Champion Jockey on four occasions and has excelled in 27 different race meetings nationwide.

“Witnessing Frankie Dettori’s ‘Magnificent 7’ on video – even through grainy footage – left a profound impact on me. As a child, watching him triumph in all seven races at Ascot (in 1996) cemented my desire to pursue this career,” Suraj shared.

Since its inception in 2000, the Shergar Cup has united top jockeys in a distinctive team format. Comprising four teams – Asia, Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and the Rest of the World – and with a dedicated title sponsor from the beginning, the event features six thrilling races. While riders accumulate points individually, the team with the highest score receives a share of the £500,000 (₹5.3 crore) prize.

Joining Suraj on Team Asia are Japanese jockeys Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata, the latter of whom captured the World All-Star Jockeys title in 2023.

“Competing at Ascot feels akin to a cricketer stepping onto Lord’s or a tennis player entering Centre Court. This is my Lord’s, my Wimbledon,” Suraj expressed. “This journey transcends personal accolades. I aim to demonstrate that Indian jockeys can excel on a global scale,” he added.

Representing Great Britain & Ireland is a strong trio led by Hollie Doyle, accompanied by Robbie Dolan and Joanna Mason. Team Europe is captained by Per-Anders Gråberg, joined by Delphine Santiago and Darrio Di Tocco, adding considerable strength to the team. The Rest of the World team will be led by Karis Teetan, alongside Hugh Bowman and Katie Davis, who recently gained international fame through Netflix’s Race for the Crown.

“I met Karis in Hong Kong last year — he’s not just an exceptional jockey but also a good friend,” Suraj reminisced. “The fact that we’re both captaining teams this year adds an extra layer of excitement.”

Fundamentally, the Shergar Cup celebrates global talent, culture, and competition. “We are proud to support the ongoing evolution of this unique event,” stated Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi. “It embodies our core values — excellence, diversity, and the unifying essence of sport.