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. Welsh trainer Chris Mason is thrilled to have a representative in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, and his village in Monmouth will be buzzing Saturday night if All Ways Glamorous captures the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (1.35) at Ascot. The five‑year‑old, racing for Team Europe, already boasts a course‑and‑distance victory earned just two weeks ago while carrying a five‑pound lower rating, and he promises to give French jockey Marie Velon a solid ride.
Europe’s Bolo Neighs appears ready to lead the pack after a striking home finish in his last outing, but he still has work to do if he wants to turn the tables on his rivals. Meanwhile, veteran rider Ryan Moore can be counted on to extract the maximum from his old friend Spartan Arrow, a horse that has already contributed valuable points for Great Britain and Ireland.
The youngster Shrimp Shady is another promising prospect, capable of delivering a big haul of points for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (2.10). Andrew Balding’s four‑year‑old, who has already claimed big marathon handicaps at Chester and Newbury this summer, looks tailor‑made for the demanding two‑mile trip, with Moore slated for another premium ride. Europe, who have not lifted the Shergar Cup since their back‑to‑back triumphs in 2013 and 2014, are well represented.
Ian Williams‑trained Hermetic, who finished fourth at Newcastle under the elegant Christophe Lemaire, could improve on that effort. The former French winner is likely to be well‑treated off a mark of 81. 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 run in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (2.45). Hong Kong, competing as a team for the first time, have a live contender in a reliable four‑year‑old who was unlucky to be bumped by two Roger Varian improvers at York earlier this season.
South African rider Luke Ferraris, a familiar name in Chinese racing circles, should be able to get the best 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 solid third at Goodwood but still needs a career‑best effort to win. That could leave him a touch vulnerable. Two years ago, Rachel King’s Insanity took the race, and it could repeat under Europe’s Velon.
Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are just a tap away on your phone. Find out more. Thunder Call, who struggled with Newmarket’s undulating terrain on his previous outing, may 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 won impressively at York and appears perfectly suited to the stiff finish at Ascot, with British debutant jockey Jerry Chau aboard.
One horse to watch is Great Britain and Ireland’s Cape Ashizuri, who was unexposed enough to post a disappointing run in a large field last time out. Trainers John and Sean Quinn will be pleased to have McMonagle in the plate. Italian trainer Marco Botti, based in Newmarket, can load up points for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (3.55).
Archers Bay, another strong candidate for Moore, has been battling the likes of Ancient Egypt and Heraldry since his Newmarket win – a form line that stands out in what does not look like a particularly strong renewal. Team‑mate Hoseki is on a roll after stringing together a hat‑trick in a course‑and‑distance fillies’ race under a light weight. It is unclear how much further she can improve off a five‑pound higher mark, but a more intriguing option might be Jessie Harrington’s Pierre Grosse, still a maiden but bringing solid form to the race and wearing cheekpieces for the first time. 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, especially as Christophe Lemaire partners William Haggas’s gelding, who is finally wearing sheepskins after missing the 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’s Guard, a course‑and‑distance winner who has performed admirably in big handicaps at Royal Ascot and Sandown. He could be a key player for Indian ace Suraj Narredu, who guided Team Asia to victory last year.
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has gifted me some of my most memorable days on a racecourse, and I am eager to watch the drama unfold before what promises to be another massive, enthusiastic crowd at Ascot. Personally, I have been fortunate enough to ride three winners in the competition, including a double three years ago that earned me the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Trophy for 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 will be fierce and unforgettable.