Our ambassador Hollie Doyle, who topped the leaderboard at the 2023 Shergar Cup, will dominate Saturday’s international showdown at Ascot, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. For Welsh trainer Chris Mason, the presence of a runner in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is a cause for celebration, 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 delivering a strong performance at a five‑pound lower rating just two weeks ago, and he promises to give French jockey Marie Velon a valuable experience on the day.
Europe’s Bolo Neighs appears ready to move into the lead after having finished strongly in the same race on his previous outing, though he still needs to sharpen up to turn the tables on his rivals. Meanwhile, veteran rider Ryan Moore can be trusted to extract the maximum from his old friend Spartan Arrow, a horse that has been in fine form and is already contributing points for the Great Britain and Ireland contingent.
Young talent Shrimp Shady is another prospect to watch, as the colt is expected to add valuable points for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (2.10). Andrew Balding’s four‑year‑old has already secured victories in demanding marathon handicaps at Chester and Newbury this summer, making him ideally suited for the grueling two‑mile test, with Ryan Moore slated for another promising ride. Team Europe, which has not lifted the Shergar Cup since their back‑to‑back triumphs in 2013 and 2014, is well represented this year.
Ian Williams‑trained Hermetic, a former French winner, is likely to build on his fourth‑place finish at Newcastle under the elegant Christophe Lemaire. With a rating of 81, Hermetic could prove a strong contender. 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 entry in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (2.45). Hong Kong makes its debut as a team in the competition, fielding a reliable four‑year‑old who has been unlucky to encounter two improving Roger Varian runners at York earlier this season.
South African jockey Luke Ferraris, a familiar name in Chinese racing circles, is expected to get the best out of the Hong Kong horse. Ian Williams also has Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard his likely favourite Night Breeze, a consistent performer who placed a solid third at Goodwood but will need a career‑best effort to win this race, leaving him slightly vulnerable. Two years ago, Rachel King rode Insanity to victory, and the horse could repeat that success under Europe’s Velon.
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Thunder Call, who struggled with Newmarket’s undulating terrain on his last outing, could rediscover his winning form for the Hong Kong team in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (3.20). Trained by William Haggas, the sprinter impressed at York and appears perfectly suited to Ascot’s sharp finish, with British debutant jockey Jerry Chau aboard. One horse to monitor closely is Great Britain and Ireland’s Cape Ashizuri, who ran unexposed in a large field previously and delivered a disappointing performance.
Trainers John and Sean Quinn will be relieved to have McMonagle in the plate. Italian trainer Marco Botti, based in Newmarket, can add maximum points for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (3.55). His runner Archers Bay, another strong option for Moore, has been battling the likes of Ancient Egypt and Heraldry since his win at Newmarket, a form line that stands out despite the overall renewal looking modest. Team‑mate Hoseki is on a roll after securing 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. A potentially more intriguing prospect is Jessie Harrington’s Pierre Grosse, still a maiden but bringing solid form and debut cheekpieces to the race. See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing.
The closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (4.30) could decide the ultimate destination of the trophy this year, and I expect Europe’s Bullet Point to capitalize on the opportunity. Christophe Lemaire partners William Haggas’ gelding, who is wearing sheepskins for the first time after missing top stride in two starts this season.
He carries only a pound more than when he won a major handicap at York’s Ebor Festival a year ago. I also have an eye on the Rest of the World’s EBT‑Guard, a course‑and‑distance winner who has performed well in big handicaps at Royal Ascot and Sandown, and could be a major asset for Indian ace Suraj Narredu, who led Team Asia to victory last year. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has provided some of my most memorable days on the racecourse, and I am thrilled to watch the action unfold before what will once again be a massive, enthusiastic crowd at Ascot.
I have been fortunate enough to ride three winners in the competition, including a double three years ago when I was presented with the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Trophy as the highest points scorer. I was part of the winning team in 2023 and 2018, and I can attest that lifting that cup is an indescribable buzz. Team competition is a rarity for jockeys, so the rivalry on the turf this Saturday promises to be intense.