Shergar Cup, Ascot: Napravnik seeks win with female jockeys

“It’s a very risky business and a dangerous sport, but we love it,” said the 31-year-old Dubliner, speaking just days after jockey Simone Montgomerie died after a fall at the Darwin Cup meeting in Australia.

“What happened in Australia puts things in perspective.”

Allpress acknowledges that women “are making their mark” in New Zealand racing but says there remains some prejudice against female riders.

“It has been tough and not just on the track – for women in racing in general – whether they are presenters, journalists, administrators or whatever. I go and do my job and the proof is the results,” she said.

Having left her family in Ireland aged 14, Gannon has proved herself a reliable rider, and believes there is no reason why women should be judged inferior to men in the saddle. Her team are rated 9-4 joint favourites by bookmakers to lift the Shergar Cup.

“It’s not as if we talk about nail varnish going down to the start,” she said. “The horses don’t know if you are a girl or a man.

“It would be brilliant if we could win on Saturday, although I’m not sure if the lads would be happy.”

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup schedule

(Time, race, age group for horses, distance)

1255 Les Ambassadeurs Casino Shergar Cup Mile (4+) Old mile

1330 Redcentric Shergar Cup Stayers (4+) Two miles

1405 Barclays Shergar Cup Dash (3+) Five furlongs

1440 Keltbray Shergar Cup Classic (3) One mile & four furlongs

1515 PageGroup Shergar Cup Challenge (4+) One mile & four furlongs

1550 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (3) Six furlongs