The 2026 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup concluded on Saturday at Ascot Racecourse, featuring what many observers described as the strongest field in the event’s history. The competition, which highlights a long-standing partnership between Dubai Duty Free and Ascot, introduced a new Team Hong Kong to challenge the established squads from Great Britain & Ireland, Europe, and The Rest of the World.
Ryan Moore made a triumphant return to the event after a 20-year absence, spearheading a dominant performance for Great Britain & Ireland. The three-time UK champion jockey, who previously led the same team to victory during his 2006 debut, secured the Silver Saddle trophy as the top individual rider with 47 points. After a seventh-place finish in the opening Dash, Moore placed in the top three for his remaining four rides, including victories in the Challenge on Asgard’s Captain and the Classic on Archers Bay.
Reflecting on his performance, Moore noted, “It has been lovely. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s nice to be back here seeing jockeys like Yutaka Take and Christophe Lemaire—older jockeys who I was looking up to as a kid. Hopefully everyone has enjoyed it.”
Team captain Saffie Osborne contributed to the team’s total of 81 points by winning the Sprint aboard Red Spells Danger. Her teammate, Dylan Browne McMonagle, also performed consistently, placing in the frame on four of his mounts. Osborne praised the event’s atmosphere, stating, “It has been really good fun. As I said before, it’s a brilliant day to get new people involved in the sport and showcase what fun this industry is. It’s brilliant for a younger audience to be able to pick a team and follow them, and to have such world class jockeys here is brilliant.”
The debutant Team Hong Kong made a strong impression, surging into an early lead after Jerry Chau and Vincent Ho finished first and second in the Dash. Luke Ferraris later secured a win in the Stayers, earning him the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day award, as judged by former Derby-winning jockey John Reid MBE. Despite their strong start, the team finished with 62 points, tied with Europe, who saw a late surge with a 1-2 finish from Frida Valle Skar and Christophe Lemaire in the final Mile race.
Reflecting on his experience, Ferraris expressed pride in the team’s effort, noting, “The whole experience has been very good. We started off really well and, although we couldn’t keep it up to the end, I am thrilled to have ridden a winner. I think we have done Hong Kong proud. I’ll be back hopefully.” Jerry Chau, who remained in contention for the top jockey title until the final race, added that the day exceeded his expectations, marking his first ride and win at Ascot.
The Rest of the World team, comprising Yutaka Take, Suraj Narredu, and Jamie Melham, finished in fourth place with 39 points. Narredu commented on the experience, saying, “It has been a great day to be part of, even though I did not ride a winner. It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. There are 12 jockeys and only six races, so it happens that you can miss out, but I would love to come back again.”
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, hosted guests in the Panoramic Suite alongside Senior Vice President of Marketing Sinead El Sibai and Senior Manager of Marketing Salim Dahman. Cidambi, whose company has been a partner since the event’s inception and title sponsor since 2006, expressed satisfaction with the day’s proceedings.
“Today we have enjoyed a fabulous renewal of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with a stellar line-up of jockeys,” Cidambi said. “Our guests drawn from multiple sectors including travel retail media, the horseracing industry and commercial partners witnessed a thrilling competition in first class surroundings and very pleasant weather. We congratulate the Great Britain & Ireland team on their victory and extend our thanks to all participants who embraced the competition with such great spirit and friendly rivalry.”
With a line-up widely regarded as the best ever in the history of the event, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) celebrated a partnership with Ascot Racecourse that extends to the turn of the century in fine style at the 2026 edition
Following a break of 20 years, Ryan Moore returned to the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with a vengeance as he spearheaded a decisive victory for Great Britain & Ireland.
Moore had been leading rider when guiding the same team to glory on his debut in the 2006 edition, and the three-time UK champion jockey again received the Silver Saddle trophy for the most successful individual rider wi
With a line-up widely regarded as the best ever in the history of the event, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) celebrated a partnership with Ascot Racecourse that extends to the turn of the century in fine style at the 2026 edition of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday.
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