Welcome to your complete guide to the 2026 Shergar Cup! Horse racing’s ultimate team battle returns to Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 8th August 2026, and we’ve got everything you need to know right here.
We’ll break down the confirmed teams, walk you through the unique racing format, and show you exactly how the points scoring works.
Plus, we’ve included all the TV broadcast details, past winners, and info on how to grab tickets for the massive post-racing concert featuring Blue, Boyzlife, B*Witched, and Marvin Humes.
What Is the Shergar Cup at Ascot? 🏇
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is easily one of the most distinctive-and eagerly anticipated—fixtures on the UK Flat racing calendar.
Hosted every summer at Berkshire’s historic Ascot Racecourse, it flips traditional racing on its head. Instead of jockeys riding solo, top-tier international riders are grouped into regional squads.
The result?
Ultra-competitive, full-field handicap racing set against a genuine festival backdrop, topped off with a massive open-air concert as soon as the final horse crosses the line.
2026 Shergar Cup Format 🗒️
Unlike standard racedays where jockeys ride for individual owners or trainers, the Shergar Cup puts team strategy front and centre:
- Team Competition: Star riders from around the globe are split into four regional squads.
- Equal Opportunity: Every race is a high-grade handicap featuring a full field (typically 10 to 12 runners).
- Random Allocation: To keep things entirely fair, rides are drawn by a random ballot across all teams and riders.
- Dual Trophies: Teams battle for the overall Shergar Cup trophy, while jockeys individually chase the prestigious Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle—awarded to the single rider who stacks up the highest point total across the card.
2026 Shergar Cup Rules 📝
To ensure a level playing field throughout the day, the 2026 meeting operates under strict balance rules:
- Field Allocations: Every team enters an equal number of horses in each race.
- Jockey Rides: Rides are distributed evenly across the card so no single jockey gets a numerical advantage.
- Handicap Ratings: Every contest is a competitive handicap open strictly to top-tier Flat horses.
- Reserve Horses & Non-Runners: If a declared runner has to withdraw, a reserve steps in. Any points earned by that substitute go straight toward their assigned team’s tally.
How Are Shergar Cup Points Scored? 🥇
Points are up for grabs for the top five finishers in every single race:
Points earned by individual team members are combined to determine the overall Shergar Cup Champions. Simultaneously, those same tallies decide who takes home the individual Silver Saddle.
Who Are the 2026 Shergar Cup Teams? 🧑🤝🧑
This year’s renewal brings an exciting addition: Team Hong Kong Jockey Club makes its official debut alongside the established international squads:
- Europe: Christophe Lemaire (captain), Marie Velon, and Frida Valle Skar
- Hong Kong: Vincent Ho (captain), Jerry Chau, and Luke Ferraris
- Rest of the World: Yutaka Take, Jamie Melham, and Suraj Narredu
- Great Britain & Ireland: Saffie Osborne, Ryan Moore, and Dylan Browne-McMonagle
Nick Smith, Director of Racing at Ascot Racecourse, highlighted just how big this renewal is:
“This weekend’s ceremony and announcement marks probably the most important milestone in the 25-year history of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. To partner with the Hong Kong Jockey Club takes the competition to a new level on the world stage, with the Hong Kong team set to carry their club colours and ride against the best jockeys from around the world. I am sure they will perform with distinction.
“We are also delighted to be staging the first World Pool event outside Group One parameters. This completes the portfolio of World Pool feature days at Ascot, which already includes Royal Ascot, King George Day and QIPCO British Champions Day. Having launched this global phenomenon with HKJC at Royal Ascot in 2019, this is a proud moment for us.
“I’d particularly like to thank Dubai Duty Free, our longstanding event sponsors, for their support, which has enabled us to build the competition’s global appeal and popularity over the years.”
Ryan Moore and Dylan Browne-McMonagle Join Saffie Osborne for GB & Ireland
Ryan Moore
The Great Britain & Ireland squad got a massive star-power boost with news that Ryan Moore and Dylan Browne-McMonagle are joining forces with Saffie Osborne this Saturday.
For Moore, it’s a long-awaited return-this marks his first Shergar Cup appearance in two decades, having last taken part back in 2006.
The heavyweight duo became available after the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh was rescheduled to Sunday, clearing their schedules for Ascot.
“It’s fantastic to have Ryan and Dylan on the Great Britain and Ireland squad,” said Will Aitkenhead, Ascot’s head of corporate and industry affairs. “The Phoenix Stakes moving to Sunday opened up a great opportunity for us to bring in world-class talent. Both riders had exceptional meetings at Royal Ascot and are having brilliant seasons, which really strengthens the team—something we were very keen to achieve.”
Key Info & Schedule for 2026 📆
The 2026 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup takes place on Saturday, 8th August 2026 at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.
- Gates Open: 11:00 am
- First Race: 1:35 pm
- Last Race: 4:30 pm
- Post-Racing Concert: Starts around 5:05 pm
🎫 Tickets: You can book directly through the official Ascot Racecourse website.
Race Schedule & Times 🏇
- 13:35 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 5f (ITV)
- 14:10 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-100) 2m (ITV)
- 14:45 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-100) 1m4f (ITV)
- 15:20 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint Cl2 (3yo 0-100) 6f (ITV)
- 15:55 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (GBBPlus Race) Cl3 (3yo 0-95) 1m4f (ITV)
- 16:30 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile Cl2 (4yo+ 0-105) 1m (ITV)
Is the 2026 Shergar Cup on ITV Racing? 📺
Yes! You can catch all six races live on ITV Racing on Saturday, 8th August 2026. Coverage runs from 1:10 pm through to 5:00 pm.
Oli Bell leads the presentation team live from Ascot, joined by former winning team captain Hayley Turner alongside Kevin Blake for expert analysis.
Rishi Persad and Natalie Green will bring you all the action from trackside, with race commentary from Mark Johnston.
Who Won the Shergar Cup in 2025? 🥇
The 2025 event ended in dramatic fashion on 9th August, when debuting Team Asia pipped Team Europe to the title by a single point (68 to 67).
2025 Highlights:
- Winning Team: Team Asia (68 pts)
- Winning Captain: Suraj Narredu (India)
- Team Riders: Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai (Japan), Mirai Iwata (Japan)
- Silver Saddle Winner: Hugh Bowman (Rest of the World) took top individual honors with 32 points.
Check out Suraj Narredu’s post-race reaction after steering Fireblade to victory in the Stayers contest right here: