Great Britain and Ireland secured the Shergar Cup team title at Ascot, finishing atop the standings with 81 points, ahead of Team Hong Kong’s 62 points. Jockey Ryan Moore spearheaded the effort, claiming a double victory and the Silver Saddle as leading individual rider with 47 points accumulated across the six-race card.
Moore’s first success came aboard Asgard’s Captain in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge, guiding the 13-2 shot to victory by a length and a quarter over Yutake Take’s Sportingsilvermine. His second triumph followed in the penultimate Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic, where he delivered a commanding performance on Marco Botti’s Archers Bay, finishing three-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Team Europe’s King Of Berkshire. Moore’s return marked his first Shergar Cup appearance since 2006, when he claimed the Silver Saddle at his previous participation. A scheduling adjustment that pushed back a Group One meeting in Ireland by 24 hours enabled his attendance.
Team Hong Kong emerged as the secondary force, banking early momentum with victories in the opening two races. Jerry Chau piloted Tuco Salamanca to a decisive win in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash, the 4-1 chance separating from the field in the final furlong to win by a length and a half. Luke Ferraris subsequently guided Dancing In Paris, a 17-2 shot, to victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers, overtaking Moore’s Shrimp Shady to prevail by a length.
Saffie Osborne contributed to the Great Britain and Ireland cause by securing the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint aboard Tim Easterby’s Red Spells Danger, the favored 2-1 selection. Osborne, who serves as team captain alongside Moore and Dylan Browne McMonagle, has previously demonstrated proficiency in team-based competition, leading riders in the Racing League on three occasions.
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