Our ambassador, Hollie Doyle, who topped the leaderboard at the 2023 Shergar Cup, will dominate Saturday's international showdown at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Doyle’s reputation as the leading rider of the previous edition adds an extra layer of excitement to the event, and her partnership with Thunder Call positions the horse as a serious contender for the team points.
Welsh trainer Chris Mason is thrilled to have a representative in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. If his five‑year‑old gelding All Ways Glamorous captures the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (1.35) at Ascot, the celebration will reverberate through Mason’s home village of Monmouth on Saturday night. All Ways Glamorous already boasts a recent course‑and‑distance victory, having stepped up from a five‑pound lower rating just two weeks ago. The win not only demonstrates the horse’s adaptability but also promises a valuable experience for French jockey Marie Velon, who will be riding the runner for Team Europe.
Europe’s Bolo Neighs appears poised to break his recent winless streak after finishing strongly in the same race last time out. While the horse showed promise, he still needs to sharpen his finishing kick to turn the tables on his rivals. Meanwhile, veteran jockey Ryan Moore can be counted on to extract the maximum from his old friend Spartan Arrow. Spartan Arrow has been in fine form this season, consistently delivering points for the Great Britain and Ireland contingent, and Moore’s seasoned tactics should keep the gelding in contention throughout the sprint.
Young talent Shrimp Shady is another horse to watch. The colt has shown rapid improvement and could deliver a big points haul for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (2.10).
His stamina and turn of foot make him an ideal candidate for the two‑mile distance, and a strong finish would significantly boost the British‑Irish tally. Andrew Balding’s four‑year‑old has already claimed major marathon handicaps at Chester and Newbury this summer, indicating he thrives over extended trips.
The horse looks tailor‑made for the demanding two‑mile test at Ascot, and Ryan Moore is slated for another premium ride aboard this proven stayer. A solid performance could add crucial points to the Great Britain and Ireland scorecard. Team Europe, which has not lifted the Shergar Cup since their back‑to‑back victories in 2013 and 2014, is well represented by the Ian Williams‑trained Hermetic.
Hermetic, a former French winner, finished fourth at Newcastle under the elegant guidance of Christophe Lemaire and is likely to improve on that effort at Ascot. Carrying a respectable rating of 81, the gelding could be a pivotal asset for the European side. 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). Their fresh horses add depth to the field and could influence the outcome of the middle‑distance contest.
Hong Kong makes its debut as a team in the Shergar Cup this year, and they have a reliable four‑year‑old who suffered two narrow defeats to Roger Varian’s improvers at York earlier in the season. South African jockey Luke Ferraris, a familiar name in Chinese racing circles, will be tasked with turning those near‑misses into points for the Hong Kong contingent.
Ian Williams also has the services of Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle on his likely favourite Night Breeze. Night Breeze has been a consistent performer, placing third at Goodwood, but will need a career‑best effort to secure victory. A win could expose a slight vulnerability, as the horse may become a target for rivals. Two years ago, Rachel King rode Insanity to a surprise triumph, and a similar upset could be on the cards under Europe’s Velon.
Never miss a story with the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more. Thunder Call, who struggled with the undulating terrain at Newmarket in his previous outing, is eager to bounce back for the Hong Kong team in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (3.20).
Trained by William Haggas, the sprinter displayed a brilliant turn of foot at York and appears perfectly suited to the sharp finish at Ascot. British debutant jockey Jerry Chau will be aboard, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the sprint. One horse to keep an eye on is Great Britain and Ireland’s Cape Ashizuri.
The colt was unexposed in his last race, finishing disappointingly in a large field. Trainers John and Sean Quinn will be relieved to have McMonagle in the saddle, hoping the experienced jockey can unlock the horse’s latent speed. Italian trainer Marco Botti, based in Newmarket, can also add valuable points for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (3.55). His runner Archers Bay, a strong candidate for Ryan Moore, has been competing against the likes of Ancient Egypt and Heraldry since a win at Newmarket.
Though the current renewal does not look the strongest on paper, Archers Bay’s form suggests he could still surprise the field. Team‑mate Hoseki is currently on a roll after securing a hat‑trick in a course‑and‑distance fillies’ race while carrying a light weight.
While it is uncertain how much further she can improve from a five‑pound higher mark, she remains a solid point‑scorer. Another intriguing entry is Jessie Harrington’s Pierre Grosse, a maiden who brings consistent form to the race and will be wearing cheekpieces for the first time, potentially enhancing his performance. See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing.
The closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (4.30) could be the decisive race that determines the overall winner of the trophy this year. Europe’s Bullet Point appears to have the best chance to capitalize on the final sprint. Christophe Lemaire will partner William Haggas’ gelding, who is finally wearing sheepskins after missing the top stride in his two starts this season.
He carries just one pound more than when he won a major handicap at York’s Ebor Festival a year ago, suggesting he still possesses the class needed for a mile‑long finish. I also have confidence in the Rest of the World’s entry, Ebt’s Guard. The horse is a proven course‑and‑distance winner who has performed admirably in high‑profile handicaps at Royal Ascot and Sandown. He could be a major player for Indian ace Suraj Narredu, who led Team Asia to victory last year.
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has consistently provided some of my most cherished moments on the racecourse, and I am eager to witness the drama unfold before a large, enthusiastic crowd at Ascot. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to ride three winners in this competition, including a memorable double three years ago that earned me the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Trophy as the highest points scorer. I was part of the winning team in both 2023 and 2018, and I can attest that lifting the Shergar Cup trophy is an electrifying experience. Team competitions are rare for jockeys, and the rivalry that will erupt on the turf this Saturday promises to be intense, making the event a true highlight of the racing calendar.