Ultimate Team Racing Event

I am delighted to welcome you to Ascot for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup 2023.

This exci�ng renewal of a unique fixture in the global racing calendar will see some of the world’s top jockeys represen�ng Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, the Rest of the World, and the Ladies Team do ba�le in a compe��on format as they join forces to try and li� racing’s ul�mate team prize.

Over the years, this world premier interna�onal jockeys' compe��on has maintained its posi�on as one of Ascot’s best-a�ended fixtures outside of the Royal Mee�ng, offering a perfect blend of thrilling entertainment on and off the track and is one of our most popular racedays of the year.

Meanwhile, the off-track entertainment is every bit as appealing with a post-racing live concert headlined by Craig David alongside former Spice Girl Melanie C and DJ Marvin Humes.

Dubai Duty Free has grown to become one of the leading travel retail operators in the world in terms of turnover, with sales of US$1.74 billion in 2022 and we expect to surpass US$2 billion in sales this year. December 2023 marks our 40th anniversary, and we are excited to celebrate this major milestone.

Our opera�on con�nues to grow in line with Dubai’s impressive expansion plans and I would like to take this opportunity to thank His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Avia�on Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, for his ongoing support of our business over the years. I am also very proud of the great efforts of all of our over 5,100 employees in ensuring our con�nued success.

As part of our ongoing promo�on of Dubai, we have successfully u�lised sports sponsorship to promote the city as a leading business and leisure des�na�on. In addi�on to our support for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, we are looking forward to the Dubai Duty Free Interna�onal Weekend at Newbury Racecourse which begins on Friday 22nd September and marks the finale of our horseracing sponsorship this season.

Finally, our thanks to the team at Ascot for making this event so unique and memorable and may I take this opportunity to wish the connec�ons and riders of all the horses taking part today every success.

I wish you all a pleasant day.

COLM McLOUGHLIN

Execu�ve Vice Chairman & CEO Dubai Duty Free

06-08

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Your guide to refreshments at Ascot

10-11

OFF THE TRACK

Your guide to today’s activities away from the track

01 WELCOME

04-05

FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND

12-19

MEET THE TEAMS

20

HOW TO READ THE RACING PAGES

21

HOW THE DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP WORKS

23

THE SCORING SYSTEM

28

THE ALISTAIR HAGGIS SILVER SADDLE

49

THOROUGHBREDS AS THERAPY

50-51

THE BETFRED ROSE OF LANCASTER STAKES AT HAYDOCK

60-62

THE ASPALL CYDER 1728 SWEET SOLERA STAKES AT NEWMARKET

78-79

TODAY’S OFFICIALS & RACE CONDITIONS

76-77

COMING UP AT ASCOT

Your guide to upcoming events at Ascot

80 GENERAL INFORMATION

Racing Pages

Your guide to all of today’s races 32-74

PAGES 32-34

1st Race 1.35pm

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap)

Today’s opener is a five furlong handicap race for three-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 86 to 105 To qualify for a handicap rating horses must have run at least three times in a Flat race in Britain, or have run in no more than two Flat races run in Britain and won at least one of them. This rating then dictates the weight to be carried in a handicap In simple terms a horse rated 105 in this particular race would be required to carry 5lb more than a rival rated 100.

PAGES 40-42

2nd Race 2.10pm

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap)

This is a two mile handicap race for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 81 to 100 In a handicap the weight that each of the runners carries is determined by their official handicap rating which is based on their level of form shown so far. The aim is to ensure competitive racing by asking the higher rated horses to carry more weight than a lower rated rival. As a guide, horses rated 40 tend to be at the lower end of the scale whilst the very best performers would be rated as high as 130.

PAGES 46-48

3rd Race 2.45pm

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap)

This is a one mile and four furlongs handicap race for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 81 to 100 Once a horse has qualified for a handicap rating this is regularly reassessed. A below-par effort could result in a reduced rating whilst a strong performance could see the rating increased. Occasionally, horses are entered to race before their handicap rating has been reviewed and so to avoid recent winners being un-penalised they are allotted a mandatory penalty – usually 6lb.

PAGES 54-56

4th Race 3.20pm

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap)

This is a one mile handicap race for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 86 to 105 Like most handicaps on the flat this race is also open to horses that are rated below that particular band. However, all handicaps stipulate a minimum weight and no runner can carry less than that, irrespective of how low their rating is. This is often described as ‘running from out of the handicap’ and is considered a disadvantage.

PAGES 66-68

5th Race 3.55pm

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap)

This is a one mile and four furlongs handicap race for three-year-olds which have been rated from 76 to 95. In a handicap the weight that each of the runners carries is determined by their official handicap rating which is based on their level of form shown so far. The aim is to ensure competitive racing by asking the higher rated horses to carry more weight than a lower rated rival. As a guide, horses rated 40 tend to be at the lower end of the scale whilst the very best performers would be rated as high as 130

PAGES 72-74

6th Race 4.30pm

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap)

This is a six furlong handicap race for three-year-olds which have been rated from 81 to 100 To qualify for a handicap rating horses must have run at least three times in a Flat race in Britain, or have run in no more than two Flat races run in Britain and won at least one of them. This rating then dictates the weight to be carried in a handicap In simple terms a horse rated 100 in this particular race would be required to carry 5lb more than a rival rated 95.

K E Y To Sy Mb Ol S

Entry Point

Cash Machine

Cloakroom & Left Luggage

Grandstand Entrances

First Aid Point

Toilets & Baby Changing

Accessibility Toilets

Parent & Baby Room

Ascot Shop

LK Bennett Boutique

Memberships At Ascot Stand

Taxi Drop Off Point

Sunflower Lawn

Queen Anne Enclosure Picnic Areas

Picnic Area for King Edward VII and Winning Post Enclosures

King Edward VII Enclosure racegoers are invited to enjoy facilities on Level 4 of the Grandstand in addition to the Winning Post and Queen Anne Enclosures.

Food & Drink

Accessible Concert Viewing

VIP Concert Viewing

Fairground Rides

Soft Play Area

Wristbands

Lost Child/Person

Free wristbands are available from all entrances for children and vulnerable racegoers to aid with a lost child/ person. If this situation does arise, racegoers are encouraged to contact the nearest steward who will assist.

Over 18 Wristbands

Ascot operates a strict over 18+ policy for the purchase of alcohol. Racegoers over 18 can collect an 18+ wristband from any entrance or the information desk on the Grandstand Concourse with photographic proof of age.