Asia Team triumph at DDF Shergar Cup

The 2025 edition of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday produced one of the most competitive renewals in recent years with the newly-created Asia Team comprising Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata edging out Europe by one point in a thrilling conclusion to the international jockeys’ competition.

Asia posted two victories on the card, with Narredu guiding Fireblade to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers and Sakai scoring on promising three-year-old Prince Of India in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.

Iwata delivered a vital contribution as on runner-up Cerulean Bay in the closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, leaving Asia with a final points total of 68 one point ahead of Europe with Great Britain & Ireland in third with 62 points and Rest of the World in fourth with 55 points.

It was the first time since 2014 a team has won the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by a single point after Europe denied the Ladies.

Narredu, Asia’s team captain, said: “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 Asia 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.”

To cap a fantastic Ascot debut Narredu was also awarded the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day judged by Dubai Duty Free guest, former Derby winning jockey John Reid, for his win on the Dylan Cunha-trained Fireblade.

Speaking to a raceday crowd of more than 20,000 at the opening ceremony Ramesh Cidambi Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, title sponsor of the Shergar Cup since 2006, said, “We are delighted to support the further evolution of this unique event and the introduction of the Asia Team which will undoubtedly add to the global appeal of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.”

Ramesh Cidambi was joined for the presentation of the coveted Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, Sinead El Sibai Senior Vice President – Marketing, Mona Al Ali Senior Vice President – HR and Salim Dahman Senior Manager – Marketing.

In all eight of the 12 riders comprising the four teams were making their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debuts and included Katie Davis, multiple Stakes winning jockey in the USA Delphine Santiago, France’s all-time leading female jockey, and Dario Di Tocco dual champion jockey in his native Italy.