Saturday promises a packed programme of flat racing, with the action split between Ascot and Lingfield Park and broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highlight of the day will be the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, a fiercely contested sprint that pits the seasoned partnership of Ebt's Guard and Cerulean Bay against a field of ten talented runners.
Ebt's Guard, ridden by William Muir and Chris Grassick, recovered from a troubled run at Goodwood where he was held up at the rear of the field. Since that setback the gelding has shown a genuine affinity for Ascot, producing placed finishes in the prestigious Royal Hunt Cup and the Balmoral Stakes. Those performances suggest he will be comfortable with the course’s long straight and could be in a strong position when the mile is contested.
The other top weight in the race, Cerulean Bay, will be guided by Jamie Melham for trainer David O'Meara. The four‑year‑old was a hard‑punching finisher in the Goodwood Mile last weekend, taking second place after a powerful late surge. With a weight assignment that is only one pound higher than Ebt's Guard, Cerulean Bay is expected to be a serious contender, especially if he can replicate the same finishing kick that earned him his recent runner‑up finish. Adding another layer of intrigue is Two Tribes, a horse stepping up from sprint distances to the mile after a slow start at Goodwood.
The colt will be partnered with Dylan Browne‑McMonagle, offering a fresh tactical angle that could catch the field off guard. His ability to settle and then accelerate will be crucial over the extended trip. The opening leg of the Shergar Cup programme is the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash, a short‑distance contest that always generates excitement.
Two of the most popular entries are Tuco Salamanca and Bolo Neighs. Bolo Neighs, trained by Ralph Beckett and piloted by Christophe Lemaire for Team Europe, has been unbeaten in his last two outings at Ascot and appears to be in peak form. If he breaks well, he should dictate the pace and force the rest of the field to chase. Tuco Salamanca, representing the newly formed Hong Kong contingent and ridden by Jerry Chau, is another horse to watch.
His speed and tactical versatility make him a genuine threat, and a strong start could see him challenge for the win. Spartan Arrow, now carrying a few pounds less after a solid performance at Goodwood, will be ridden by Ryan Moore. The reduction in weight could give him the extra edge needed to contend for a place, especially if the early fractions favor a closer finish. In the classic division of the Shergar Cup, Saffie Osborne has earned the coveted mount on William Haggas’s Hoseki.
The filly, a daughter of Saxon Warrior, has been dominant this season, winning all three of her starts, including a convincing victory over the same distance at Ascot last month. Even with a five‑pound penalty, she remains a strong candidate for a four‑run win in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic.
Blue Hercules, despite not having secured a win in his five starts, has shown steady improvement and was a close runner‑up in his previous appearance at Ascot. Under Jamie Melham’s guidance, he should be in the mix, especially if the race develops into a sprint finish. Other each‑way possibilities include Royal Poetry and Ohara, both capable of producing a respectable placing. Ryan Moore will also take the reins on Archers Bay, adding another high‑profile jockey to the mix.
Beyond the Shergar Cup, the broadcast will feature a suite of international races. At Saratoga, the Grade One Whitney Stakes will showcase Magnitude, Sovereignty and Baeza among a strong eight‑horse field at 11:37. The Test Stakes, another Grade One, follows at 9:36, featuring Percy's Bar, Movie Night and Explora.
The Fourstardave Stakes at 10:14 will see Deterministic as a leading contender for Miguel Clement. The Saratoga Derby, a Grade One event at 10:52, pits Title Role and Pacific Avenue against each other, with Glacius representing Hugo Palmer. Back in the UK, Lingfield’s Novice race at 7:10 will see Saffron Bay and Kanzi among seven runners.
Ascot will host several Shergar Cup contests: the Stayers division at 2:10, featuring Dancing In Paris and Shrimp Shandy; the Challenge at 2:45, where last year’s champion Night Breeze returns; and the Sprint at 3:20, with Thunder Call listed among the favourites. The day will conclude with French action at Deauville.
At 12:58, a Group Three race will see William Haggas’s Tenability take to the track. The Good Listed race at 1:33 will feature the Crisfords’ Social Symbol and Drazinda, while a Listed event at 4:07 will have Poker representing Amo. Finally, another Listed affair at 4:42 will see a strong British contingent compete.
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