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. For Welsh trainer Chris Mason, the excitement is palpable.
He has a horse entered in this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, and the atmosphere in his native Monmouth is set to explode on Saturday night if All Ways Glamorous captures the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (1.35) at Ascot. The five‑year‑old, slated to ride for Team Europe, has already secured a course‑and‑distance victory after delivering a strong performance from a five‑pound lower rating just two weeks ago.
That win not only boosts the horse’s confidence but also gives French jockey Marie Velon valuable experience on a big stage. Europe’s Bolo Neighs appears ready to move into the lead after a striking home finish in the same race last time out, though he still has work to do if he hopes to turn the tables on his rivals. Meanwhile, veteran jockey Ryan Moore can be counted on to extract the maximum from his long‑time partner Spartan Arrow, a horse that has been consistently adding points for the Great Britain and Ireland contingent throughout the competition. Another promising youngster, Shrimp Shady, is expected to deliver a strong performance for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (2.10).
This four‑year‑old, trained by Andrew Balding, has already claimed major marathon handicaps at Chester and Newbury this summer, suggesting he is perfectly suited to the demanding two‑mile trip. Moore is slated for yet another premium ride on this horse, further strengthening the British‑Irish point haul. Team Europe, which has not lifted the Shergar Cup since its back‑to‑back triumphs in 2013 and 2014, is well represented among the entries. Ian Williams’ Hermetic, a former French winner, is likely to improve on his fourth‑place finish at Newcastle under the elegant guidance of Christophe Lemaire.
Handicapped at 81, Hermetic could prove a valuable 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 participation in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (2.45). Their inclusion adds depth to the field and offers additional scoring opportunities for the British‑Irish squad.
Hong Kong makes its debut as a team in the Shergar Cup this year, fielding a reliable four‑year‑old that suffered two unfortunate bumps against Roger Varian‑trained improvers at York earlier in the season. South African jockey Luke Ferraris, a familiar face in Chinese racing circles, will be tasked with coaxing the best out of this horse. Ian Williams also has Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard his likely favorite, Night Breeze. The consistent runner placed a respectable third at Goodwood but will need to produce a career‑best effort to secure victory, which could leave him slightly vulnerable.
Two years ago, Rachel King rode Insanity to a win, and that same partnership could prove effective again 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 poised to bounce back for the Hong Kong team in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (3.20). Trained by William Haggas, the sprinter captured a stylish win at York and appears tailor‑made for Ascot’s sharp finishing stretch. British debutant jockey Jerry Chau will be in the saddle, adding an extra layer of intrigue.
One horse to watch closely is Great Britain and Ireland’s Cape Ashizuri. The colt was under‑exposed in a large field last time out and delivered a disappointing run. Trainers John and Sean Quinn will be eager to see McMonagle deliver a stronger performance in the plate.
Italian trainer Marco Botti, based in Newmarket, can potentially add maximum points for Great Britain and Ireland in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (3.55) with his entry Archers Bay. This strong contender for Moore has been battling the likes of Ancient Egypt and Heraldry since a victory at Newmarket, and his form stands out even though the renewal does not look the strongest on paper. Team‑mate Hoseki is on a roll, having secured a hat‑trick in a course‑and‑distance fillies’ race while carrying a light weight.
Whether she can improve further from a five‑pound higher mark remains uncertain, but she represents a solid scoring chance. Another interesting prospect is Jessie Harrington’s Pierre Grosse, still a maiden but equipped with solid form and first‑time cheekpieces that could give him a competitive edge. See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing. The final leg of the competition, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (4.30), could be decisive in determining which side claims the trophy this year.
Europe’s Bullet Point is the horse I expect to capitalize on the closing sprint. Christophe Lemaire will partner William Haggas’ gelding, who is finally getting the sheepskin after missing top stride in his two starts earlier in the season. He carries only a pound more than when he triumphed in a major handicap at York’s Ebor Festival a year ago.
I also have confidence in the Rest of the World’s entry, Ebt’s Guard, a proven course‑and‑distance winner who has performed admirably in big handicaps at Royal Ascot and Sandown. He could be a major factor for Indian ace Suraj Narredu, who led Team Asia to victory in the competition last year. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has gifted me some of the most memorable moments of my riding career, and I am thrilled to watch the action unfold before what promises to be a huge, enthusiastic crowd at Ascot.
Personally, I have been fortunate to ride three winners in the competition, including a double three years ago that earned me the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Trophy for the highest points scorer. I was part of the winning team in both 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 intense, and every point will matter as the riders vie for glory in one of the sport’s most celebrated events.