Despite high winds and a stormy weather forecast more than 23,500 enthusiastic racegoers travelled to Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 10 August for 2019 edition of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition.

More than 100 guests of Dubai Duty Free were hosted by Colm McLoughlin Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Salah Tahlak Executive Vice President Corporate Services, Sinead El Sibai Senior Vice President Marketing and Assistant Manager, Christine Feliciano in Ascot’s premier hospitality facility overlooking the winning post.

Diplomats, journalists, broadcasters and sports industry representatives were among Dubai Duty Free’s international guests who included His Excellency Mansoor Abulhoul UAE Ambassador to the UK and his wife Victoria Devin, former tennis star Annabel Croft and husband Mel Coleman and former Classic winning jockeys Joe Mercer and John Reid.

After an exciting six-race card, the Rest of the World team emerged as the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup's triumphant winning team at Ascot Racecourse UK on Saturday, 10 August, with 86 points, ahead of the joint runners-up Europe and The Girls on 63.

The Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle for the jockey who amasses the most points during the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup went to Hayley Turner Britain’s most successful female jockey who became the first rider to win the Silver Saddle in consecutive years, having also won it in 2018. Her total of 40 points left her five points clear of Mark Zahra (35), with Filip Minarik and Vincent Ho Chak-Yiu joint-third on 32 points. Gerald Mosse and Jamie Spencer shared fifth place with 20 points each.

Australian Mark Zahra was awarded the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day Judged by former Derby-winning jockey, John Reid, for his winning ride on Indianapolis in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge, the third race in the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

The race day was preceded by the fifth edition of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Golf Challenge held at the prestigious Foxhills Country Club & Resort in Surrey. In a format designed to reflect the unique team aspect of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup each of the 60 players represented one of the four Shergar Cup teams.

Record breaking former champion national hunt jockey Sir Anthony McCoy, Ascot Racecourse Chairman Sir Frances Brooke and James Finnigan joined Colm McLoughlin on the first tee for the shotgun start event in which team Europe came out on top with a combined total of 424 points scoring a narrow victory ahead of The Girls who finished on 419 points with Great Britain & Ireland and Rest of the World behind on 413 and 398 points respectively.

The individual Stableford competition was won by Newbury Racecourse CEO Julian Thick with 41 points ahead of Andy Clifton, Director of Racing at the Racecourse Association on 38 points and Sky Sports Racing executive James Singer close behind on 37.

Martin Green won the Nearest the Pin trophy on the fourth hole and George McGrath CEO of the National Association of Racing Staff struck the longest drive of the competition on the 12th hole.