Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup
 
Saturday 9th August 2025

It was drama right to the line at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, and in the end it was the new kids on the block — Team Asia — who snatched the spoils by the narrowest of margins. Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata combined to edge out Europe by a single point in a finish that had the Ascot crowd on its feet.

Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata

L-R: Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata
(photo: Megan Coggin)

Two victories paved the way. Narredu was first to strike, delivering Fireblade with perfect timing to claim the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers. Sakai then lit up the Sprint, producing the promising three-year-old Prince Of India to perfection. And when Iwata drove Cerulean Bay into the runner-up spot in the finale, those extra points proved priceless.

The scoreboard told the story: Asia 68, Europe 67, Great Britain & Ireland 62, and Rest of the World 55. It’s only the second time the competition has been decided by a single point, the other coming back in 2014 when Europe denied the Ladies in similar fashion.

Narredu, wearing the captain’s armband on debut, was all smiles:

“I am absolutely delighted. After my winner, to win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake. I know this is a new team that was introduced this year and I am sure in future they will be a force to be reckoned with.

“The Asian team deserves to get recognition and I am proud to captain the team. It was fabulous for us to get two winners and some place points from the six races. We all enjoyed ourselves and it is a big deal to have come. It will be big back home in India.

“I would love to come again, every year! I am open. I am staying in Britain for three more weeks to ride out for a few trainers, primarily Marco Botti, before I head home. It is a very short time, but I hope I can pick up a few rides.

“I am glad to have made full use of the opportunity I was given. It is always good to learn, explore and experience things like this. I am always open to do that.”

Hugh Bowman with his daughters

Hugh Bowman with his daughters
(photo: Megan Coggin)

While Asia took the team prize, the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle for leading rider went to a man who first claimed it 18 years ago — Australia’s Hugh Bowman. Victorious on Vintage Clarets in the opener and a points-gatherer in two more contests, he finished on 32 points, clear of Europe’s Per-Anders Graberg (26), with Sakai and Robbie Dolan joint-third on 25.

Bowman summed it up:

“I am delighted. It is great to be here, the Shergar Cup is a unique event. Riding on this track is something that all jockeys around the world aspire to do. I have had the privilege of doing it previously and to come back and win a race – I thought I might have been in with a squeak of winning a couple, but nevertheless we have come out with a major prize.

“It has been a lovely afternoon and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. My family is here and they have enjoyed it, too. It has been special. All the teams won a race and I think everyone has had as much fun as I have – the spoils were shared, which is good. We all want to win everything, but that’s not how life goes. Many congratulations to team Asia, they were racking up points in every race, so credit where it is due.”

From first flag fall to final flourish, it was a Shergar Cup to remember — and in the end, Asia’s debut turned into a day for the scrapbook.

Team standings FINAL
ASIA 68
EUROPE 67
GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND 62
REST OF THE WORLD 55
 
Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle standings FINAL
Hugh Bowman ROW 32
Per-Anders Graberg EUR 26
Ryusei Sakai ASI 25
Robbie Dolan GBI 25
Hollie Doyle GBI 24
Suraj Narredu ASI 23
Delphine Santiago EUR 22
Karis Teetan ROW 20
Mirai Iwata ASI 20
Dario Di Tocco EUR 19
Joanna Mason GBI 13
Katie Davis ROW 3

FormRatings

Shergar Cup 2024
Shergar Cup 2023
Shergar Cup 2022
Shergar Cup 2021
Shergar Cup 2020

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