This year's jockey roster further magnifies the growing popularity of the Shergar Cup event
The upcoming Shergar Cup at Ascot promises an exciting display of horse racing, with jockey experience playing a significant role in the race outcomes.
One rider who stands out is Hollie Doyle, the only one of the 12 riders this year who has ridden over 50 times at Ascot. With more than three times as many rides as the other 11 combined, Doyle's local knowledge could prove invaluable on the challenging Ascot turf.
The Shergar Cup is a unique fixture where even the most interesting horses come to the fore, as evidenced by ten winning favourites in the last three years. Among these contenders is Marchogion, a horse trained by Andrew Balding. Despite his form figures going awry, Marchogion has hardly gone off the boil since his spring performance, and his strong showing at Newmarket in May should not be overlooked.
Another horse to watch is Manaccan, who will be competing in the 1.35 race. Manaccan won the same race in 2022 and a Listed race over the same course and distance at the end of the season. However, he has missed two years due to injury, and his poor performance in the two runs this season may be excused.
Per-Anders Graberg, a former Shergar Cup winner, will be riding Marchogion in the 3.20 race. The Sprint race, meanwhile, is a red-hot contest, with the reserve horse being of serious interest.
The Shergar Cup is a day about jockeys, and local knowledge seems to play a significant role in the results. This is evident in the success of jockeys like Suraj Narredu and Delphine Santiago, who have won major races at the event. Narredu, riding Fireblade, led strongly and kept on well to win the Shergar Cup Stayers race, demonstrating effective race management and strategy. Similarly, Santiago secured victory in the Shergar Cup Classic on Tenability by tracking leaders skillfully and timing the finishing effort well.
The Shergar Cup is a team event where jockey skill and experience also factor into team strategy and adaptability. This was exemplified by Team Asia, featuring experienced jockeys like Narredu, winning the overall title.
Trainers like Balding, Haggas, the Johnstons, Williams, and Watson specifically target the Shergar Cup, making it a meeting where top trainers and jockeys converge. Dario di Tocco, who has won most of Italy's big races, will ride Dancing In Paris in the 2.10 race. Another strong contender, Dancing In Paris was third in the Challenge last year and has since improved as a stayer, finishing second to Spirit Mixer in the Northumberland Plate and being narrowly defeated at Glorious Goodwood last week.
In summary, the 2025 Shergar Cup at Ascot is set to be a thrilling event where jockey experience contributes significantly to strategic positioning, handling race pace, and timing the finishing kick. Experienced jockeys like Narredu and Santiago have demonstrated their racecraft in prominent events like the Shergar Cup Stayers and Classic, and trainers like Balding and Williams have declared strong contenders for the event. With the Shergar Cup being a day about jockeys, local knowledge, and team strategy, it promises to be an exciting spectacle for horse racing enthusiasts.
*References*
- BBC Sport
- Sky Sports Racing
- Racing Post
- At The Races
- Daily Express
The Shergar Cup, with its unique display of horse racing, will feature exciting races, such as the one-mile handicap where Manaccan, a previous winner of the same race, will compete. Local knowledge could play a significant role in the race, given Hollie Doyle's extensive experience riding at Ascot, having ridden over 50 times there.
In the Sprint race, Per-Anders Graberg, a former Shergar Cup winner, will ride Marchogion, a horse trained by Andrew Balding. Barracuda Bob, the reserve horse in the race, is also a strong contender, adding more excitement to the team event where jockey skill and experience are vital in strategic decisions and adaptability.
