Bowman wins leading jockey award at Shergar Cup with Team Asia taking overall competition…

  - Team Asia win overall competition

  - Hugh Bowman takes leading jockey award

  - Suraj Narredu becomes first Indian jockey to ride a winner at the Shergar Cup

Hugh Bowman made a successful third appearance at the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday, securing the Silver Saddle award for leading jockey despite an overall success for Team Asia.

With a strong book of rides, Bowman was expected to be firmly in the mix for top jockey honours and he was able to get the afternoon off to a flying start with a victory in the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash aboard Vintage Clarets.

The victory represented a third Shergar Cup success for Bowman, who said: "It is great to be back. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to ride here this year, representing the Rest of the World team, and to be back at the Royal Ascot track, it's hallowed ground, it's an honour.

"Although it is a bit of a unique atmosphere, we are professionals, so we are out there to do a job, and Vintage Clarets gave me a terrific ride. He was a bit of a handful when I got on him – he is a real character – but once I cantered down to post, he just relaxed beautifully."

Despite no further winners, Bowman was able to end the afternoon with 32 points, leaving himself comfortable clear at the top of the jockeys' standings – seventeen years after taking the same prize in 2007.

Speaking after the final race, Bowman added: "I am delighted. It is great to be here, the Shergar Cup is a unique event. Riding on this track is something that all jockeys around the world aspire to do. I have had the privilege of doing it previously and to come back and win a race – I thought I might have been in with a squeak of winning a couple, but nevertheless we have come out with a major prize.

"It has been a lovely afternoon and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. My family is here and they have enjoyed it, too. It has been special. All the teams won a race and I think everyone has had as much fun as I have – the spoils were shared, which is good. We all want to win everything, but that's not how life goes. Many congratulations to team Asia, they were racking up points in every race, so credit where it is due."

The team event was closer, with the newly-created Team Asia narrowly taking the win with 68 points over Europe, who achieved 67 points.

Asia's Suraj Narredu became the first Indian jockey to ride a winner at the Shergar Cup aboard Fireblade in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers, one of two victories for Team Asia on the day. Narredu, Asia's team captain, said: "I am absolutely delighted. After my winner, to win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake. I know this is a new team that was introduced this year and I am sure in future they will be a force to be reckoned with.

"The Asian team deserves to get recognition and I am proud to captain the team. It was fabulous for us to get two winners and some place points from the six races. We all enjoyed ourselves and it is a big deal to have come. It will be big back home in India.

"I would love to come again, every year! I am open. I am staying in Britain for three more weeks to ride out for a few trainers, primarily Marco Botti, before I head home. It is a very short time, but I hope I can pick up a few rides.

"I am glad to have made full use of the opportunity I was given. It is always good to learn, explore and experience things like this. I am always open to do that."