The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup returns to Ascot on Saturday, August 8, 2026, bringing together some of the world’s best jockeys for one of the most unique afternoons in horse racing.

Unlike a traditional race meeting, the Shergar Cup is built around team competition, with riders representing their region while also chasing individual honours in the Silver Saddle standings.

First staged in 2000, the Shergar Cup was created to celebrate the international appeal of horse racing and is named after the legendary Derby winner Shergar.

Over the last quarter of a century it has become a firm fixture on the Flat racing calendar, combining six fiercely competitive handicap races with a festival atmosphere and international rivalry.

For bettors, it presents a fascinating challenge, as jockey tactics and team points can influence how races are ridden.

With all six races at Ascot on Saturday being shown live on the ITV Racing network.

How The Shergar Cup Works

Unlike a normal race meeting, jockeys compete as part of a team rather than solely for owners and trainers.

Every race awards points towards the overall Shergar Cup standings, while riders also chase the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle, presented to the leading individual jockey.

Each team consists of three jockeys, with every rider guaranteed five rides across the six-race card.

The format creates a tactical edge rarely seen in Flat racing, as every finishing position matters for the team competition.

Shergar Cup Date, First Race Time & TV Coverage

  • Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026
  • Venue: Ascot Racecourse
  • First race: 12:50pm BST
  • Last race: 4:25pm BST
  • Live TV: Sky Sports Racing and ITV Racing
  • Streaming: Sky Go, NOW and ITVX (where applicable).

Shergar Cup Format

The meeting consists of six handicap races run over a variety of distances.

The races are:

  • Dash
  • Stayers
  • Challenge
  • Sprint
  • Mile
  • Classic

2026 Shergar Cup Race Times and Names In Full

  • 13:35 ASCOT – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 5f ITV
  • 14:10 ASCOT – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-100) 2m ITV
  • 14:45 ASCOT – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-100) 1m4f ITV
  • 15:20 ASCOT – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint Cl2 (3yo 0-100) 6f ITV
  • 15:55 ASCOT – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (GBBPlus Race) Cl3 (3yo 0-95) 1m4f ITV
  • 16:30 ASCOT – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile Cl2 (4yo+ 0-105) 1m ITV

Each team has a runner in every race, with jockeys allocated mounts by ballot rather than by retained owners or trainers.

This levels the playing field and gives every team a realistic chance of lifting the trophy.

How Shergar Cup Points Are Scored

Points are awarded to the first ten finishers in every race.

  • Position Points
  • 1st 15
  • 2nd 10
  • 3rd 7
  • 4th 5
  • 5th 4
  • 6th 3
  • 7th 2
  • 8th 1
  • 9th 0
  • 10th 0

At the end of the six races, the team with the highest total wins the Shergar Cup, while the jockey with the most individual points receives the Silver Saddle.

2026 Shergar Cup Teams And Jockeys

The 2026 meeting sees four international teams contest the Shergar Cup:

Great Britain & Ireland
Ryan Moore
Saffie Osborne (Captain)
Dylan Browne McMonagle

Europe
Christophe Lemaire
Mickael Barzalona
Alexis Pouchin

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Vincent Ho (Captain)
Hugh Bowman
Zac Purton

Rest Of The World
Yutaka Take
Suraj Narredu
Rachel King

The 2026 renewal is also the first to feature a dedicated Hong Kong Jockey Club team, replacing the former Asia team as part of the event’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Shergar Cup Betting Odds 2026

Winning team

  • 2/5 GB & Ireland
  • 6/1 Europe
  • 8/1 Hong Kong
  • 8/1 Rest of the World

Silver Saddle

  • 7/4 Ryan Moore
  • 5/2 Saffie Osborne
  • 5/1 Dylan Browne McMonagle
  • 6/1 Christophe Lemaire
  • 10/1 Jerry Chau
  • 16/1 Suraj Narredu
  • 33/1 Jamie Melham
  • 50/1 Luke Ferraris
  • 50/1 Marie Velon
  • 50/1 Vincent Ho
  • 50/1 Yutaka Take
  • 50/1 Frida Valle Skar

ALSO SEE: Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips On Saturday 8th August – Ascot Shergar Cup Best Bets

Ryan Moore To Ride At The Shergar Cup For The First Time Since 2006
Ryan Moore

Ryan Moore

One of the biggest stories ahead of the 2026 Shergar Cup is the return of Ryan Moore, who will compete in the event for the first time in 20 years.

Moore last appeared in the competition in 2006, when he helped Great Britain & Ireland lift the trophy and also won the Silver Saddle as the meeting’s leading rider.

His absence in recent years has largely been due to commitments for Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, but with the Phoenix Stakes moved to Sunday this year, the multiple champion jockey is free to return to Ascot.

His inclusion gives Great Britain & Ireland a significant boost and adds another major attraction to the meeting.

Moore is the red-hot favourite at 7/4 to land the 2026 Shergar Cup silver saddle.

Who Won The Shergar Cup In 2025?

The Asia team claimed the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, edging out their rivals after a dramatic final race.

The victory proved historic as it was the final success for the Asia team before the introduction of the dedicated Hong Kong Jockey Club team for the 2026 renewal.

Last 10 Shergar Cup Winning Teams

  • 2025 Asia
  • 2024 Great Britain & Ireland
  • 2023 Europe
  • 2022 Great Britain & Ireland
  • 2021 Rest of the World
  • 2020 Great Britain & Ireland
  • 2019 Europe
  • 2018 Europe
  • 2017 Europe
  • 2016 Great Britain & Ireland