Our ambassador, Hollie Doyle, who topped the jockey standings at the 2023 Shergar Cup, will dominate Saturday’s international showdown at Ascot, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Welsh trainer Chris Mason is thrilled to have a contender in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, and his village in Monmouth will be buzzing on Saturday night if All Ways Glamorous captures the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (1.35) at Ascot.
The five‑year‑old, representing Team Europe, already boasts a course‑and‑distance victory after impressing from a five‑pound lower rating just two weeks ago. The win should give French rider Marie Velon a solid platform to showcase her talent. Team Europe’s Bolo Neighs appears ready to move into the lead after a strong finish in the same race last time out, but the horse still has work to do to turn the tables on the competition. Meanwhile, veteran jockey Ryan Moore can be counted on to extract the best performance from his long‑time partner Spartan Arrow, who has been in fine form and already contributed valuable points for Great Britain and Ireland.
Young prospect Shrimp Shady is another horse to watch; the colt is expected to deliver a hefty points haul for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (2.10). Andrew Balding’s four‑year‑old has already secured big marathon handicap victories at Chester and Newbury this summer, making him an ideal candidate for the demanding two‑mile trip.
Ryan Moore is slated for another top‑class ride on this runner, adding further depth to the British‑Irish tally. Europe, which has not lifted the Shergar Cup since their back‑to‑back triumphs in 2013 and 2014, is well represented by Ian Williams’s Hermetic.
The French‑bred, who placed fourth at Newcastle under the elegant Christophe Lemaire, could improve on that effort from a rating of 81 and prove a key factor in Europe’s quest for redemption. It was encouraging to see Richard and Peter Fahey return from the cold list at Southwell on Thursday, just in time for Castle Stuart’s appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (2.45).
Hong Kong fields a live contender for the first time as a team in this competition. Their reliable four‑year‑old suffered two unlucky bumps from Roger Varian’s improving runners at York earlier in the season. South African jockey Luke Ferraris, a familiar name in Chinese racing circles, is expected to get the most out of the horse. Ian Williams also has Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard his likely favourite Night Breeze, a consistent performer who placed a respectable third at Goodwood.
Night Breeze will need a career‑best effort to win, which could leave him vulnerable to a late surge. Two years ago, Rachel King rode Insanity to victory, and the same partnership could repeat success under Europe’s Velon.
Never miss a story – stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more. Thunder Call, who struggled with the undulating terrain at Newmarket on his last outing, is looking to rebound for the Hong Kong team in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (3.20). Trained by William Haggas, the sprinter won impressively at York and appears perfectly suited to Ascot’s sharp finish.
British debutant jockey Jerry Chau will be in the saddle. A horse to keep an eye on for Great Britain and Ireland is Cape Ashizuri, who ran unexposed in a large field on his previous start and finished disappointingly.
Owners John and Sean Quinn will be pleased to have McMonagle aboard for this race. Italian trainer Marco Botti, based in Newmarket, can deliver maximum points for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (3.55).
His runner Archers Bay, another strong Moore mount, has been competing against the likes of Ancient Egypt and Heraldry since a win at Newmarket – a form line that stands out in what otherwise looks like a modest renewal. Team‑mate Hoseki is on a roll after a hat‑trick in a course‑and‑distance fillies’ race under a light weight. It remains to be seen how much further she can improve from a five‑pound higher mark.
An intriguing alternative could be Jessie Harrington’s Pierre Grosse, still a maiden but equipped with solid form and first‑time cheekpieces. See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing.
The final leg, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (4.30), could decide the ultimate destination of the trophy this year. Europe’s Bullet Point looks poised to capitalize, and I expect a strong performance.
Christophe Lemaire will partner William Haggas’s gelding, who is finally getting a chance to shine after missing top form in two starts earlier this season. He carries just a pound more than when he won a major handicap at York’s Ebor Festival twelve months ago. I also have confidence in the Rest of the World’s entry, Ebt’s Guard, a course‑and‑distance winner who has performed admirably in big handicaps at Royal Ascot and Sandown.
The horse could be a major asset for Indian ace Suraj Narredu, who guided Team Asia to victory last year. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has gifted me some of the most memorable days of my career, and I am eager to watch the drama unfold before another huge, enthusiastic crowd at Ascot. I have been fortunate enough to ride three winners in the competition, including a double triumph three years ago that earned me the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Trophy for the highest points scorer. I was part of the winning team in both 2023 and 2018, and I can attest that lifting that cup is an electrifying experience.
Team competition is a rarity for jockeys, so the rivalry on the turf this Saturday promises to be fierce and unforgettable.