Shergar Cup Preview, Tips, Runners & Trends

Shergar Cup Preview, Trends & Analysis

The 2025 Shergar Cup will take place at Ascot on Saturday the 9th of August, on the day of the races, you will be able to see who the OLBG racing tipsters are backing in each of the eight races on the Ascot Betting Tips page.

The Shergar Cup was created to create a 'Ryder Cup' kind of competition and the inaugural competition featured Europe vs the Middle East and took place at Goodwood.

A year later, it was moved to Ascot and the Middle East team became the Rest of the World then after the Ascot renovations, the competition returned with the four teams we have this year.

Team GB and Ireland have combined in recent years but were separated in 2021, however, they were back combined in 2022 with Team Europe returning.

The Horse Racing Shergar Cup which Dubai Duty-Free sponsors is a unique event where teams of jockeys compete against each other, there are four teams for 2024, Great Britain (Green silks), Europe (Blue silks), the Rest of the World (Yellow silks) and the Ladies team (Pink silks)

2025 Shergar Cup Races

In 2025 five of the six races are classed as Class 2 handicaps with the only exception being the Classic which is classed as a Class 3 handicap.

2025 Shergar Cup Teams

Each team will send out 2 or 3 jockeys into each of the eight races, the numbers will differ for each race to make sure each team has the exact number of rides each and points will be scored based on the performance in each race with riders picking up points if they finish in the top five.

The 2025 Shargar Cup teams will be announced in the week leading up to the race day, here is how they lined up in 2024:

Ladies

• Hayley Turner (c)
• Marie Velon

• Saffie Osborne

Rest of the World

• Rachel King (c)
• Rachel Venniker
• Nanako Fujita

Great Britain

• Tadhg O'Shea (c)
• Seamie Heffernan
• Billy Loughnane

Europe

• Bauryrzhan Murzabayev (captain)
• Jose-Luis Borrego
• Alberto Sanna

Shergar Cup Point Scoring

The team who accumulates the most number of points will be crowned champions whilst the rider who accumulates the most points will win the Alistair Haggis 'Silver Saddle' Trophy.

• 1st Place: 15 Points
• 2nd Place: 10 Points
• 3rd Place: 7 Points
• 4th Place: 5 Points
• 5th Place: 3 Points
• 6th or worse: 0 Points

Past Ten Shergar Cup Winners & Silver Saddle Winners

Here are the past ten winners of the Shergar Cup as well as the winners of the Silver Saddle award for most points scored.

Shergar Cup Dash Preview, Trends & Analysis

The class two Shergar Cup Dash is now the third race of the Shergar Cup meeting after originally being the opener, it is open to runners who are aged three or older and is run over a distance of five furlongs.

The runner that holds the record over the past 16 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2021 renewal when Tis Marvellous from Clive Cox under the guidance of Kevin Stott, won in a time of 1:01.93, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Desert Law, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Cristian Demuro set the quickest time of 58.53 in the 2012 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Shergar Cup Dash over the last 16 renewals:

1. Desert Law (58.53) in 2012
2. Manaccan (58.97) in 2022
3. In Salutem (59.47) in 2016

How competitive is the Shergar Cup Dash market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 16 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2009 when the race had an over-round of 110%. The race in 2018 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 120%, whilst on average over the last 16 renewals of the Shergar Cup Dash, the over-round has been 117% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £117 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 16 if you had followed the winner of the next time out then you would have back a total of 3 winners. Backing all 15 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of +3.25.

Leading Trainers & Jockeys in the Shergar Cup Dash

There are two leading trainers in the Shergar Cup Dash over the last 16 renewals with both Robert Cowell & Andrew Balding who have both won the race 3 times. Robert Cowell winners have been with Prohibit (2010), Goldream (2014) & Secretinthepark (2015). Andrew Balding winners have been with Dungannon (2011), Desert Law (2012) & Stone Of Destiny (2019). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Shergar Cup Dash is Clive Cox (2 wins).

Shergar Cup Dash Past Winners

Here are the past 5 winners of the Shergar Cup Dash:

Shergar Cup Dash Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): (1, 4), 5, 1, 2, 6, (2, 5), 1, 5, 1, (1, 3), 4, 3, (1, 3), 1, (2, 3), 1

• 16 / 16 (53%) - Within the first 5 of the market
• 16 / 16 (56%) - No bigger than 9/1
• 16 / 16 (59%) - Fewer than 4 wins (Trip)
• 16 / 16 (65%) - Had 1 - 6 wins (Career)
• 16 / 16 (70%) - Not in a G2-3/LST/Cl3 (LTO)
• 16 / 16 (74%) - Not in a Non Handicap (LTO)
• 16 / 16 (75%) - Fewer than 6 wins (Hcps)
• 16 / 16 (78%) - Fewer than 3 wins (Class)
• 16 / 16 (80%) - Beaten no more -10l (Debut)
• 16 / 16 (80%) - Fewer than 2 wins (Season)
• 16 / 16 (82%) - No more than +3yrs (Vs Min Age)
• 16 / 16 (82%) - Fewer than 2 wins (180 Days)
• 16 / 16 (85%) - Achieved an RPR of 96+ (Last 3)
• 16 / 16 (86%) - Achieved a TS of 80+ (Season)
• 16 / 16 (88%) - Achieved an RPR of 87+ (Going)

Shergar Cup Stayers Preview, Trends & Analysis

We go from the opening five-furlong dash to the two-mile Shergar Cup Stayers, flat horses at either end of the spectrum, those all about speed to those all about stamina, this class two is open to runners who are aged four or older.

The runner that holds the record over the past 20 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2017 renewal when Euchen Glen from Jim Goldie under the guidance of Adrie de Vries, won in a time of 3:37.00, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Arch Villain, trained by Amanda Perrett and ridden by Gavin Lerena set the quickest time of 3:27.35 in the 2016 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Shergar Cup Stayers over the last 20 renewals:

1. Arch Villain (3:27.35) in 2016
2. Cleonte (3:29.21) in 2018
3. Ranch Hand (3:29.64) in 2024

How competitive is the Shergar Cup Stayers market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2006 when the race had an over-round of 111%. The race in 2019 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 122%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Shergar Cup Stayers, the over-round has been 118% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £118 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the next time out then you would have back a total of 4 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of +5.94.

Leading Trainers & Jockeys in the Shergar Cup Stayers

The leading trainer in the Shergar Cup Stayers over the last 20 renewals is Andrew Balding who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Bernie The Bolt (2010), Cleonte (2018) & Ranch Hand (2024). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Shergar Cup Stayers are Ian Williams (2 wins) & Roger Charlton (2 wins). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Shergar Cup Stayers, Mark Johnston has sent a total of 21 runners to the race without recording any wins.

The leading jockey in the Shergar Cup Stayers over the last 20 renewals is Hayley Turner who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Gee Dee Nen (2008), Eddystone Rock (2019) & Ranch Hand (2024). Other jockeys who have recorded multiple wins in the Shergar Cup Stayers are Yutaka Take (2 wins) & Kieren Fallon (2 wins).

Shergar Cup Stayers Past Winners

Here are the past 5 winners of the Shergar Cup Stayers:

Shergar Cup Stayers Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 4, 1, (1, 2), 3, 9, 2, 9, 8, 9, 3, 6, 1, 6

• 20 / 20 (80%) - Fewer than 10 placings (Hcps)
• 20 / 20 (80%) - Achieved a TS of 63+ (Season)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - No bigger than 66/1 (Career)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Won within last 11 starts
• 20 / 20 (87%) - No bigger than 25/1 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Not on HY/FM/STD-SLW (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Highest Placed is not G1-2/Cl4-5
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Ran in 2 - 11 races (Season)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Off a break of 7 - 49 days
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Ran over 7f - 2m (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Sex is not Filly/Horse/Mare
• 19 / 20 (53%) - Within the first 5 of the market
• 18 / 20 (78%) - Placed within last 5 starts
• 17 / 20 (66%) - Achieved a TS of 70+ (Going)
• 17 / 20 (83%) - Achieved a TS of 75+ (Hcps)

Shergar Cup Challenge Preview, Trends & Analysis

The Shergar Cup Challenge is a middle-distance race, this class two is run over a distance of one mile and four furlongs and is open to runners who are aged four or older.

The runner that holds the record over the past 20 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2017 renewal when Great Hall from Mick Quinn under the guidance of Fran Berry, won in a time of 2:37.18, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Viking Storm, trained by Harry Dunlop and ridden by Aaron T Gryder set the quickest time of 2:29.79 in the 2012 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Shergar Cup Challenge over the last 20 renewals:

1. Viking Storm (2:29.79) in 2012
2. Insanity (2:30.61) in 2024
3. Star Lahib (2:31.34) in 2013

How competitive is the Shergar Cup Challenge market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021 when the race had an over-round of 113%. The race in 2012 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 123%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Shergar Cup Challenge, the over-round has been 118% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £118 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the next time out then you would have back a total of 3 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of +0.33.

Leading Trainers & Jockeys in the Shergar Cup Challenge

There are two leading trainers in the Shergar Cup Challenge over the last 20 renewals with both Andrew Balding & Paul Cole who have both won the race 3 times. Andrew Balding winners have been with Desert QuestI (2004), Genetics (2018) & Scampi (2023). Paul Cole winners have been with Capitano Corelli (2003), Strategic Mount (2007) & Strategic Mount (2008). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Shergar Cup Challenge is Mark Johnston (2 wins). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Shergar Cup Challenge, Ian Williams has sent a total of 12 runners to the race without recording any wins.

The leading jockey in the Shergar Cup Challenge over the last 20 renewals is Mirco Demuro who has won the race 2 times. Those 2 winners came from Strategic Mount (2008) & Averroes (2011).

Shergar Cup Challenge Past Winners

Here are the past 5 winners of the Shergar Cup Challenge:

Shergar Cup Challenge Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 4, 5, 1, 1, 9, 4, 2, 7, 2, 4, (3, 4), 7, 7, 2, 4, 3, 10, 6, 5, 3

• 20 / 20 (69%) - Furthest ran 1m4f - 1m6½f
• 20 / 20 (77%) - Ran over 7f - 1m2½f (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (79%) - Achieved a TS of 43+ (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (82%) - Ran in 1 - 11 races (Trip)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Carried 123 - 131lbs (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Fewer than 4 placings (Class)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Achieved an RPR of 82+ (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Not on HY/GS/FM (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Beaten no more -13½l (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Ran in 7 - 40 races (Career)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Not in a G3/LST/Cl2/Cl6 (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Held an OR of 80+ (Trip)
• 19 / 20 (82%) - Placed within last 4 starts
• 18 / 20 (74%) - Within the first 7 of the market
• 18 / 20 (77%) - No more than +6lbs (Vs Min Weight)

Shergar Cup Sprint Preview, Trends & Analysis

The finale on Shergar Cup day at Ascot is the class two Shergar Cup Sprint, open to three-year-old runners only, this finale will be run over a distance of six furlongs.

When looking over the past 19 renewals, a time of 1:11.50 was set by Mince in 2012, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by Roger Charlton and ridden by Matthew Chadwick. The slowest winning time was set in 2021 when Mitrosonfire won in a time of 1:16.40, booked to ride was Joe Fanning by the trainer William Muir & Chris Grassick.

These are the top three quickest-run Shergar Cup Sprint over the last 19 renewals:

1. Mince (1:11.50) in 2012
2. Adaay In Asia (1:12.78) in 2022
3. Moonraker (1:13.08) in 2015

How competitive is the Shergar Cup Sprint market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 19 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2006 when the race had an over-round of 113%. The race in 2014 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 123%, whilst on average over the last 19 renewals of the Shergar Cup Sprint, the over-round has been 119% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £119 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 19 if you had followed the winner of the next time out then you would have back a total of 4 winners. Backing all 18 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of +5.25.

Leading Trainers & Jockeys in the Shergar Cup Sprint

The leading trainer in the Shergar Cup Sprint over the last 19 renewals is Roger Charlton who has won the race 2 times. Those 2 winners came from Genki (2007) & Mince (2012). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Shergar Cup Sprint, Mark Johnston has sent a total of 10 runners to the race without recording any wins.

There are two leading jockeys in the Shergar Cup Sprint over the last 19 renewals with both Jamie Spencer & Fran Berry who have both won the race 2 times. Jamie Spencer's winners have been with Moonraker (2015) & Harmony Spirit (2019). Fran Berry winners have been with Morache Music (2011) & Golden Apollo (2017).

Shergar Cup Sprint Past Winners

Here are the past 5 winners of the Shergar Cup Sprint:

Shergar Cup Sprint Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): (2, 6), 6, 1, 1, (6, 9), 2, 3, (2, 4), 2, (1, 4), 5, 2, 4, (3, 4), 1, 5, (1, 3, 6), 1, 1

• 19 / 19 (75%) - Highest Run is not G1/G3
• 19 / 19 (75%) - Within the first 7 of the market
• 19 / 19 (75%) - No bigger than 14/1
• 19 / 19 (81%) - Furthest ran 6f - 7½f
• 19 / 19 (81%) - Achieved an RPR of 79+ (LTO)
• 19 / 19 (85%) - Beaten no more -1½l (LTO)
• 19 / 19 (85%) - Ran in 4 - 15 races (Career)
• 19 / 19 (85%) - Achieved an RPR of 88+ (Trip)
• 19 / 19 (86%) - Had 2 - 7 placings (Career)
• 19 / 19 (87%) - Achieved a TS of 68+ (Trip)
• 19 / 19 (87%) - Fewer than 5 placings (Hcps)
• 19 / 19 (88%) - Dam is not GER/SAF/UAE/USA bred
• 19 / 19 (88%) - Ran in 3 - 12 races (1 Year)
• 17 / 19 (62%) - Won within last 5 starts
• 17 / 19 (82%) - No more than +8lbs (Vs Min Weight)

Shergar Cup Classic Preview, Trends & Analysis

The Shergar Cup Classic is the second race to be run over the middle-distance trip of one mile and four furlongs, this class three, however, is only open to three-year-old runners.

The runner that holds the record over the past 15 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2023 renewal when Regal Empire from James Tate under the guidance of Hollie Doyle, won in a time of 2:38.74, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Danehill Kodiac, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Gavin Lerena set the quickest time of 2:30.27 in the 2016 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Shergar Cup Classic over the last 15 renewals:

1. Danehill Kodiac (2:30.27) in 2016
2. Sun Central (2:31.48) in 2012
3. Sapa Inca (2:32.57) in 2019

How competitive is the Shergar Cup Classic market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 15 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021 when the race had an over-round of 114%. The race in 2018 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 123%, whilst on average over the last 15 renewals of the Shergar Cup Classic, the over-round has been 118% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £118 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 15 if you had followed the winner of the next time out then you would have back a total of 2 winners. Backing all 14 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -0.50.

Leading Trainers & Jockeys in the Shergar Cup Classic

The leading trainer in the Shergar Cup Classic over the last 15 renewals is Mark Johnston who has won the race 4 times. Those 4 winners came from Mister Angry (2010), Royal Skies (2013), Sapa Inca (2019) & State Of Bliss (2021). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Shergar Cup Classic are William Haggas (2 wins) & Richard Hannon (2 wins).

Shergar Cup Classic Past Winners

Here are the past 5 winners of the Shergar Cup Classic:

Shergar Cup Classic Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 1, 10, 2, 1, 10, 9, 8, 4, 2, 7, 1, 3, (1, 7), 8, 5

• 15 / 15 (79%) - Not on GS/FM/STD-SLW/STD-FS (Debut)
• 15 / 15 (87%) - In a field of 3 - 11 (Last Win)
• 15 / 15 (88%) - Not on HY/FM/STD-SLW/STD-FS (Last Win)
• 15 / 15 (88%) - Ran over 1m2f - 1m5f (LTO)
• 15 / 15 (88%) - Had 1 - 3 wins (1 Year)
• 15 / 15 (88%) - Ran in 2 - 6 races (90 Days)
• 15 / 15 (89%) - Furthest Won 7½f - 1m5f
• 15 / 15 (89%) - Carried 117 - 138lbs (Last Win)
• 15 / 15 (89%) - Achieved an RPR of 80+ (Last Win)
• 14 / 15 (89%) - Won within last 5 starts
• 13 / 15 (70%) - Achieved an RPR of 88+ (Hcps)
• 13 / 15 (74%) - No bigger than 14/1 (Career Place)
• 13 / 15 (88%) - Placed within last 3 starts
• 12 / 15 (54%) - Within the first 5 of the market
• 12 / 15 (55%) - No bigger than 8/1

Shergar Cup Mile Preview, Trends & Analysis

As it says on the tin, the Shergar Cup Mile is unsurprisingly run over a distance of one mile, this class two handicap is open to runners who are aged four or older.

When looking over the past 20 renewals, a time of 1:39.49 was set by Jungle Cove in 2022, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by Mrs John Harrington and ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson. The slowest winning time was set in 2021 when Dashing Roger won in a time of 1:44.64, booked to ride was Cieren Fallon by the trainer William Stone.

These are the top three quickest-run Shergar Cup Mile over the last 20 renewals:

1. Jungle Cove (1:39.49) in 2022
2. Early Morning (1:39.97) in 2016
3. Prince Of Thebes (1:40.29) in 2006

How competitive is the Shergar Cup Mile market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2012 when the race had an over-round of 102%. The race in 2015 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 122%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Shergar Cup Mile, the over-round has been 117% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £117 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the next time out then you would have back a total of 0 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -19.00.

Leading Trainers & Jockeys in the Shergar Cup Mile

The leading trainer in the Shergar Cup Mile over the last 20 renewals is Andrew Balding who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Pentecost (2003), Pentecost (2004) & Set The Trend (2010). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Shergar Cup Mile is Marcus Tregoning (2 wins).

The leading jockey in the Shergar Cup Mile over the last 20 renewals is Hayley Turner who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Early Morning (2016), Via Serendipity (2018) & New Image (2024). Other jockeys who have recorded multiple wins in the Shergar Cup Mile are Emma-Jayne Wilson (2 wins) & Kieren Fallon (2 wins).

Shergar Cup Mile Past Winners

Here are the past 5 winners of the Shergar Cup Mile:

Shergar Cup Mile Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 4, 1, 3, 2, 9, (2, 5), 8, 5, 1, 3, 3, 7, 9, 4, (1, 7), 1, (1, 3, 7), 4, 3, 1

• 20 / 20 (73%) - Within the first 7 of the market
• 20 / 20 (79%) - No bigger than 14/1
• 20 / 20 (80%) - Ran in 1 - 7 races (Season)
• 20 / 20 (81%) - Off a break of 8 - 45 days
• 20 / 20 (82%) - Had 1 - 7 wins (Career)
• 20 / 20 (85%) - Furthest ran 7f - 1m2½f
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Achieved a TS of 51+ (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Sex is not Colt/Horse/Mare
• 20 / 20 (87%) - No bigger than 40/1 (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Highest Run is not G1
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Achieved an RPR of 67+ (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - No more than +3yrs (Vs Min Age)
• 19 / 20 (84%) - Placed within last 5 starts
• 18 / 20 (81%) - Achieved an RPR of 97+ (Last 3)
• 17 / 20 (83%) - Achieved a TS of 80+ (Trip)