UK. Dubai Duty Free hosted the prestigious Shergar Cup on Saturday, an event that attracted 30,000 spectators to Ascot Racecourse and was won by the Rest of the World team. The travel retailer also revealed that it has extended its support of the event for a further four years.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice President Salah Tahlak and Vice President – Marketing Sinead El Sibai presented the Shergar Cup trophy on the day. McLoughlin said: “It’s been a terrific event and I would like to congratulate Guy Henderson and his team at Ascot for putting on such a great show. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has become a truly international event with mass appeal and we are delighted it has produced so many highlights today.”
A dozen riders split into four squads – Great Britain & Ireland, Europe, the Rest of the World and last year’s winners The Girls – was the format for the event.
All six races on the day were worth £45,000 to the winner with total prize money of £270,000 – prize money that extended down to tenth and last place in each race.
Among the highlights were Thierry Jarnet winning the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle for leading individual rider, and female rider Hayley Turner coming out of retirement to capture the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile. That riding performance also earned Turner the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day award judged by two legends of racing, Joe Mercer and John Reid.
Guests of Dubai Duty Free included British and Irish racing industry representatives, TV personalities and sporting celebrities and a wide cross section of media who in addition to witnessing top class racing were entertained by close-up magician Sam Strange, leading caricaturist, Daren Bird and jazz duo, The Hot Club.
Racing was followed by a concert headlined by Irish singing star Ronan Keating who was supported by Gabrielle, Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Lawson.
