 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
One of the all-time greats of Australian racing, Glen Boss, officially brought the curtain down on his riding career with a final victory in the second leg of the stc International Jockeys Challenge but he was outdone by his compatriot Caitlin Jones in the overall standings, with the pair finishing first and third for Australia.
Jones, who is regularly based in Morphettville, South Australia, has been riding in Dubai recently and travelled to Saudi Arabia for the first time to take part in the unique challenge during the first day of The Saudi Cup meeting which pits seven female jockeys against seven male riders.
She rode Koheylan Alkheil (KSA) to victory in the third leg of the series, and was runner-up in the first race to finish on 25 points, three clear of Joel Rosario. As well as the prize-money she accumulated per race - each leg was worth US $400,000 - Jones takes home $100,000 as series champion.
American-based Joel Rosario, who rides Midnight Bourbon (USA) for trainer Steve Asmussen in the $20 million The Saudi Cup on Saturday, finished second in the challenge, having won the final race aboard Mostawly (KSA).
Glen Boss announced his retirement from racing in November following a glittering 37-year career in the saddle in which he won three Melbourne Cups and the Cox Plate on four occasions, among a string of big-race victories.
The 52-year-old, who partnered the Bedan Alsubaie-trained Raeed (IRE) to an easy win in the second leg of the challenge, said: "That was good fun, to be honest. The speed was very hot, and I had looked at the replays and knew my horse would be strong late. I am really happy. It’s a brilliant track; very, very good.
Speaking about his retirement, Boss added: "I don’t feel sad that it is over. I was happy to come and do this and if I’d won it would have been fantastic but it wasn’t about winning really. I got a few tingles today, so that was good."
In three years of the stc International Jockey Challenge it has twice been won by female jockeys, with Sybille Vogt of Switzerland landing the inaugural series, and Ireland’s Shane Foley taking the title last year. Foley won the first leg of the 2022 Challenge on Alnashaas (KSA), commenting: "I was lucky here last year, and obviously we picked up where we left off!"