The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup maintained its position as Ascot’s best attended fixture outside of the Royal meeting after a crowd of more than 30,000 flocked to the Berkshire course for the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition and post-racing concert on Saturday, 11th August.

The day saw four teams compete in the points-based competition which was played out over six ten runner handicaps in front of a sell-out crowd.  The final scores saw The Girls taking the title with 76 points ahead of Europe on 70, Rest of the World in third place with 48 points and Great Britain and Ireland two points behind in last place.

The Girls captained by Josephine Gordon who was joined by Hollie Doyle and British racing’s most successful female rider, Hayley Turner, established an early lead in the competition with Doyle ringing Tis Marvellous home in front for trainer Clive Cox in the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash. 

While the award for the most successful individual on the day went to Hayley Turner and to Brazilian ace ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira who was presented with the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day, judged by former Derby winning jockey, John Reid, after his double in the final two races.

Welcoming around 100 guests at the panoramic suite, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said, “Dubai Duty Free is a strong supporter of Dubai’s vision to promote the Emirate through sport and today’s event, which forms part of an extensive and varied portfolio of high-profile sporting events across the globe, is a classic example of that strategy.”  Accompanying Mr McLoughlin were Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President – Marketing and Christine Feliciano who presented trophies to the connections of the winners of the day’s six races.

Dubai Duty Free guests, who included horseracing celebrities, travel retail and sports media enjoyed access to a private viewing area for the post-racing concert headlined by international singing star Rita Ora supported by Example & DJ Wire, Soul II Soul and DJ Scott Mills.

Meanwhile, on 10th August, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Golf Challenge took place at Foxhills Golf Course which was won by the Rest of the World Team with 466 points, Best Score of the Day went to Laurie Brannan, David Rogers for Nearest the Pin while Longest Drive trophy went to James Finnigan.