Team Europe victorious in high-profile Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

UK. Team Europe came out top in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday at Ascot Racecourse, with veteran American jockey Gary Stevens winning the day’s final race, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint. The event is one of the highest profile race meetings of the UK racing calendar.

The meeting saw some of the world’s best jockeys competing against each other in teams of three, representing Great Britain & Ireland, Rest of the World, Europe and the world’s top female riders. Team Europe ended up dominating the event, with its haul of 97 points putting it well ahead of Great Britain & Ireland, with 61 points.

Dubai Duty Free entertained 100 guests, including many from the travel retail industry, in VIP style in the Dubai Duty Free Panoramic Suite, giving them some of the best views of the racecourse.

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin hands the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Trophy to Team Europe. He was joined in the presentation ceremony by Vice President of Marketing Sinead El Sibai, President George Horan and Vice President of Human Resources Nic Bruwer
Gerald Mosse won the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day Award

Dubai Duty Free has been associated with the event since its first running at Ascot Racecourse in 2000, and the retailer also sponsored the final race of the day, won by American Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens.

Meanwhile, Europe’s Gerald Mosse won the Silver Saddle award for amassing the most points. He also won the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day Award for his victory aboard Blue Skies in the Shergar Cup Classic.

Gary Stevens collects his prize for winning the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint
Gerald Mosse was handed the Silver Saddle award for amassing the most points

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin said: “Our association with this unique event goes back to 2000, and we are thrilled that it continues to bring top international riders together to compete on one of the world’s greatest stages.

“This is indeed one of the most successful races in Ascot’s racing calendar with a huge support from the owners and trainers, and once again the attendance figure reflects the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup’s appeal as a great sporting and social occasion.”

Dubai Duty Free President George Horan welcomes guests of the retailer at Ascot
George Horan, Gary Stevens, Colm McLoughlin and Laurie Brannan

Now firmly set on the racing calendar, this year’s event attracted plenty of attention around the world, particularly because of Gary Stevens’ presence. It was the first time the veteran jockey had visited the UK since 1999.

Although the 50-year old had retired after a stellar career in 2005, he returned to the saddle earlier this year, winning the Preakness Stakes aboard Oxbow just months into his professional comeback.

Retail Consultant Mark Riches and Brit Riches were among the guests of Dubai Duty Free
Nic Bruwer, Herta & Ghaleb Farha
Brian Horan, Carmel Horan and George Horan

Ahead of the proceedings on the famed racecourse, the four teams were presented to McLoughlin at an opening ceremony conducted in the Winner’s Enclosure, which included a routine choreographed by the Pineapple Dance Studios Cheeleaders especially for the event to the Dubai Duty Free Fly Buy Dubai anthem.

Just under 29,000 people attended this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and the day’s racing was followed by a pop concert, featuring Blue, Atomic Kitten, D:Ream, Go West, Bjorn Again and Rick Astley.

The Racecourse Newbury Managing Director Stephen Higgins, wife Jenna and their children with Colm McLoughlin and George Horan
George Horan, Alan Lester, Carmel Horan, Joe Mercer, Colm McLoughlin and Richard Coram
Dariush Rakshani, Colm McLoughlin, Soheila Rakshani and George Horan

Mid-way through the afternoon, the Dubai Duty Free delegation conducted a draw among hospitality prize winners, in which Lorraine Masterson was presented with vouchers for a holiday in Dubai including return flights from London, five-nights stay in the five-star Dubai Duty Free-owned Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and a €500 spending spree at Dubai Duty Free.

Dubai Duty Free’s involvement in the UK racing scene will continue next month with its sponsorship of the International Weekend at The Racecourse Newbury, a two-day fixture beginning on 20 September.

The teams introduced ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup
Just under 29,000 racegoers attended this year’s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup
Gary Stevens after his victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint
Sinead El Sibai, Rick Astley and Colm McLoughlin
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