Jockey Bell gets Shergar Cup opportunity Sammy-Jo Bell is thrilled to have been given an unexpected call-up for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and plans to grasp the opportunity with both hands. Widely regarded as one of the weighing room's rising stars, Bell was born and raised in County Antrim, in Northern Ireland, the birthplace of recently-retired 20-times champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy. And, also like McCoy, the young jockey enjoyed a spell with master tutor Jim Bolger during her youth, before riding as an apprentice for Kevin Prendergast. "I've basically rode horses all my life. My mum rode in a few point-to-points and I was brought up with horses," said Bell. "I had some show jumpers and eventers and rode out some of the point-to-pointers, so I got the bug from there. "I was with Mr Prendergast on the Curragh for three and a half years and it was a brilliant experience. "He basically taught me everything I know about racing and gave me the majority of my winners over there." Having ridden 10 winners in her homeland, Bell decided to make the move across the Irish Sea at the start of 2013 and joined the ranks at Richard Fahey's Musley Bank stables in Malton. While her first few of seasons were not bereft of promise, reaching double figures in the two years combined, she has enjoyed a steep upward trajectory this term and heads for Berkshire already on the 22-winner mark for 2015. Bell's inclusion in the 'Girls' team is, of course, down the misfortune of a colleague. Cathy Gannon was due to take part in her second Shergar Cup alongside Hayley Turner and Canadian rider Emma-Jayne Wilson before injury intervened. Her withdrawal means Bell will become the first apprentice to take part in the popular event. She said: "I'm really excited about it. I feel gutted for Cathy as she's such a nice person and has always been very helpful to me when I've met her on a racecourse, but obviously it's a great opportunity for me and I'm really looking forward to it. "Hayley is great. I haven't met Emma-Jayne Wilson yet, but I'm sure she'll be good to get along with as well. "Things have been going great this year. After riding 10 winners in Ireland and 10 in my first two years over here, to ride 22 already this year is more than I could have hoped for. "I've been getting plenty rides and it's great the boss has given me so many chances. "I never dreamt I'd be riding in a Shergar Cup and I'm so grateful for the opportunity."
