Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup |
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Ascot, where history breathes through every furlong, unfurls another compelling chapter. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup — now poised for its 25th running — will stride into new territory in 2026, staged for the first time as a World Pool fixture and welcoming a Hong Kong Jockey Club team into its fiercely competitive fold.
The Asia team of last year makes way for a trio licensed in Hong Kong, a jurisdiction synonymous with precision and excellence. At their helm stands Vincent Ho (pictured in the Hong Kong Jockey Club team silks), returning to Ascot’s grand amphitheatre for a second Shergar Cup appearance. In 2019 he played his part in Rest of the World’s triumph, steering Power Of Darkness to victory in the Shergar Cup Mile with the composure that has become his hallmark. Globally recognised as the long-time ally of the imperious Golden Sixty — winner of 26 races from 31 starts, ten at Group 1 level between 2019 and 2024 — Ho brings star quality and steel in equal measure.
Jamie Melham, known to many at Ascot by her maiden name Kah when she rode in the 2019 contest, returns in 2026 not merely as a participant but as captain of the Rest of the World team and as Global Event Ambassador. Twelve months ago she etched her name deeper into racing’s annals, completing the Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double aboard Half Yours and becoming only the second female rider to claim the race that stops a nation.
Melham said: “I’m thrilled to be taking part in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup this year, it’s such a unique raceday. It’s an honour to have the chance to ride at Ascot again and I can’t wait to captain the Rest of the World team. As a Global Event Ambassador, I’m excited to be able to work with Ascot and Dubai Duty Free to promote the event over the coming months.”
Alongside her will be Suraj Narredu, who announced himself in style in 2025 by captaining the Asia team to victory on debut. His success aboard Fireblade in the Shergar Cup Stayers — followed by a flying dismount that delighted the Ascot faithful — ensured his introduction to this grand stage was anything but understated.
Nick Smith, Director of Racing at Ascot Racecourse, added: “This will be the 25th running of the Shergar Cup at Ascot and it’s exciting to see another evolution of the event, with World Pool and Hong Kong Jockey Club involvement for the first time. As ever we are hugely grateful to Dubai Duty Free for their support of this event, and of British and Irish racing as a whole.”
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, commented: “Our association with the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has been a key part of our racing sponsorship since the very first edition at Ascot in the year 2000, so we’re delighted that the competition goes from strength to strength. The battle for the trophy last year was as thrilling as ever so let’s hope we are treated to another fantastic finish in 2026.”
Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: ”The Hong Kong Jockey Club is excited to be represented with our own team at the 25th running of the Shergar Cup at Ascot this year, especially when Vincent Ho, a world-class product of our renowned Apprentice Jockeys’ School in Hong Kong and the regular rider of former champion Golden Sixty, will captain The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s side.
“The introduction of a Hong Kong-licensed jockeys’ team reflects both the depth of star riders in our jurisdiction and the Club’s continued commitment to contributing to the global development of premier racing events.
“It is also exciting to see the Shergar Cup run under the World Pool banner for the first time, and we here in Hong Kong are very much looking forward to the event.”
Elsewhere, a subtle but significant shift: the cut-off for reserves moves forward to 5pm on the eve of racing, lending greater certainty to betting markets. No longer will connections wait until 40 minutes before the off for clarity; the rhythm of the day will be set earlier, the picture clearer.
Shergar Cup 2025
Shergar Cup 2024
Shergar Cup 2023
Shergar Cup 2022
Shergar Cup 2021
Shergar Cup 2020
