Ryan Moore made a spectacular return to the Shergar Cup after a two‑decade hiatus, delivering a double triumph that helped the Great Britain and Ireland contingent clinch the overall team title while also securing the individual Silver Saddle award for the best rider across the six races. Moore’s previous appearance at the team‑based meeting was back in 2006, when he rode to victory in the Silver Saddle.
Since then his commitments have largely been tied to Group One rides in Ireland, leaving little opportunity to compete in the unique, multinational format of the Shergar Cup. When the meeting was postponed by 24 hours, however, his schedule opened up, allowing him to travel to Ascot and delight the crowd with a masterclass performance. Team Great Britain and Ireland finished the competition on 81 points, comfortably ahead of Team Hong Kong, which managed 62 points. Moore’s personal tally of 47 points was more than enough to earn him the coveted Silver Saddle, underscoring his status as the event’s leading rider.
The day began with Moore partnering Dylan Cunha’s Asgard’s Captain (13‑2) in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge. The horse, displaying a tenacious spirit, held his ground and surged ahead to win by a length and a quarter, beating Yutake Take on Sportingsilvermine, who represented the Rest of the World. After the race, Moore praised the colt’s straightforward nature, saying, “Dylan mentioned he could be a little lazy at times, but he has a simple, uncomplicated attitude. All I had to do was guide him, and it was a very straightforward ride.” He added, “It feels great to give Dylan a win here; the owners will be thrilled, and the horse delivered exactly what they hoped for.” In the penultimate race, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic, Moore rode Marco Botti’s Archers Bay (5‑2) for Team Europe.
He produced a textbook performance, pulling the horse clear to finish three and a quarter lengths ahead of Christophe Lemaire’s King Of Berkshire. Having previously contested the Italian Derby earlier in the season, Moore’s experience shone through, confirming his reputation as a class act on the big stage.
The final race of the day, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, saw Moore finish third aboard Ozat, behind the Frida Valle‑ridden Crown Board (10‑1). By this point, Team Europe was no longer in contention for the overall trophy, but Moore’s consistent placings had already cemented his individual triumph. Other notable performances included Saffie Osborne, who thrived in the team environment. Riding Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, she justified the 2‑1 favourite odds in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.
Osborne, a three‑time leading rider in the Racing League, captained a young squad that included Moore and Dylan Browne McMonagle for the GB & Ireland team. She reflected on her ride, saying, “I heard a few skeptics about this horse today, but the track suited him perfectly, and I’m glad I pulled my finger out.” She also highlighted the high calibre of the jockeys present, noting, “Look at our team with Ryan Moore and Ireland’s champion jockey – it’s amazing.” Osborne added a personal touch, “The win for me today is that I made Ryan laugh a couple of times, so I’m quite happy with that!” Team Hong Kong set an early pace, securing victories in the first two races.
Young jockey Jerry Chau delivered a flawless start when he partnered Tuco Salamanca to a decisive win in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash. Representing a team making its Shergar Cup debut, the 26‑year‑old gave Ollie Sangster’s four‑year‑old a perfectly timed ride, taking the lead into the final furlong before extending the margin.
Tuco Salamanca (4‑1) accelerated impressively to beat Gold Star Hero, ridden by Chau’s teammate Vincent Ho, by a length and a half, while Fandom and Suraj Narredu placed third for the Rest of the World. Chau told Sky Sports Racing, “It felt amazing when I hit the line. No words can describe riding a winner at Ascot. I grew up watching Ryan Moore on YouTube, and I’ve watched him as much as I could.” Luke Ferraris quickly made his mark for Team Hong Kong after the opening race one‑two finish by his teammates.
He piloted the Ian Williams‑trained 17‑2 outsider Dancing In Paris to victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers, edging out Moore on Andrew Balding’s Shrimp Shady by a length. Mountain Road completed the placings for Yutake Take and the Rest of the World. Ferraris commented, “That’s phenomenal – he’s a lot fitter than me! He was turned out in great order.
He didn’t settle as well as he should have, but he still produced a great turn of foot. I think I’ve only ridden in one two‑mile race in recent years, so it was a bit of a change. We have a good group of young riders representing Hong Kong, so let’s hope it continues.” The Shergar Cup, a unique event that pits riders from different nations against each other in a series of short‑distance races, provides a rare platform for jockeys to showcase their versatility and teamwork.
Unlike traditional flat racing, the Cup emphasizes collective strategy, with points awarded for each finish and additional bonuses for team performance. Moore’s return highlighted the draw of the competition: even top‑level riders with packed Group One schedules are eager to experience its camaraderie and international flair.
Beyond the on‑track action, the event also serves as a celebration of the sport’s global community. Spectators at Ascot enjoyed a day filled with high‑octane finishes, emotional victories, and the palpable excitement of riders representing their home countries. The success of the GB & Ireland team, bolstered by Moore’s experience and the youthful energy of riders like Osborne and Ferraris, underscored the depth of talent across the British and Irish racing scenes. In summary, Ryan Moore’s comeback to the Sherdar Cup was nothing short of triumphant.
He not only helped his team secure the overall trophy but also earned personal glory by topping the individual leaderboard. His performances, alongside those of his teammates and the emerging Hong Kong contingent, made the event a memorable showcase of skill, determination, and international sporting spirit.