Foreign Friday heads back to Ascot Racecourse for one of the most unique and entertaining events on the international racing calendar—the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.
Unlike a traditional race meeting, the Shergar Cup is an international team competition where elite jockeys from around the world battle for individual and team honors across a six-race series. Every point matters, every ride counts, and aggressive race tactics often create outstanding betting opportunities.
Tom and Rich break down all six races, searching for the horses most likely to win, live price horses, and the value the betting public may overlook.
Race 1 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash – 8:35 am ET
The card opens with a lightning-fast sprint where early speed, race position, and split-second decisions often determine the outcome.
Tom’s Tips
1 – Kendall Roy – ran third last time at Cork in a handicap coming from the back of the field. Gets the weight penalty because he’s been running against better horses and won a listed race at Cork in June.
6 – All Ways Glamorous – won the last two races moving from class 4 to class 2. The last win was at Ascot. Should be on the lead and may have enough to win again.
9 – Bolo Neighs – lost to the six-horse last time running sixth but had some issues at the starting gate. A winner at Ascot in May at six furlongs. The distance is a question mark, but he was far back last time out.
Rich’s Ranks
1 – KENDALL ROY – much faster last out
3 – FAHRENHEIT SEVEN – at his best – can run one of the fastest 5f times
6 – ALL WAY GLAMOROUS – ITM 3/3 at Ascot – looking for 3rd win in a row
5 – SPARTAN ARROW – always got to consider Ryan Moore
Race 2 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers – 9:10 am ET
A true test of stamina. Patience, timing, and finishing power become the deciding factors as these runners battle over a demanding distance.
Tom’s Tips
5 – Shrimp Shady – won last time by a nose but this is typical of his wins, not by much. I think he can get the distance and Ryan Moore is a positive.
4 – Dancing In Paris – ran fifth at Ascot last time at a shorter distance but has run second before in long races. Coming into some form but he won’t win.
10 – Hermetic – should be your pace setter and has won but not at this distance. He had an ok race last maybe just good enough for third.
Rich’s Ranks
5 – SHRIMP LADY – won 3/4 on turf and 3rd up and Ryan Moore again
7 – MARNIER – 3 seconds faster in his last – worst to first and catching more distance
10 – HERMETIC – signs of life in last – back to turf and maybe most untapped potential
6 – MOUNTAIN ROAD – been running at a higher level than the rest – 1st up iffy
Race 3 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge – 9:45 am ET
One of the most competitive races on the program, featuring a balanced mix of proven form and improving runners capable of stepping forward.
Tom’s Tips
8 – Sportingsilvermine – Tossed last, moved forward, then went backward. Won at Newmarket in the race before at this level. He will run a better race today.
3 – Frances Ethel – a big unknown with this horse given the layoff, but William Haggas knows what he’s doing. He’s run third in England, and his best finish was second. All his wins were in South Africa. Watch the odds.
10 – Stem – won last time out and could win again. Consistency at this level and will be around at this finish of the race.
Rich’s Ranks
4 – NIGHT BREEZE – big fan of the distance 5 wins in 9 – 1 in 23 at any other
7 – CASTLE STUART – been facing mostly tougher company and been close
5 – ENEMY – longshot – rebounded for the win last time he made 4th start in a row
9 – FANTASY BELIEVER – all or nothing at Ascot 2/6 – signs of life in last
Race 4 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint – 10:20 am ET
Another high-speed affair where pace pressure, post position, and trip can dramatically influence the finish.
Tom’s Tips
5 – Figjam – ran fifth last time at York in a Group Three race at this distance. Tried seven furlongs without success. Only a novice race winner, and this handicap will suit her better than listed or group company.
9 – Thunder Call – he is the one to beat with two wins and a third last time out at Newmarket as the favorite. He was second in his group of ten. Needs a better trip than last time.
10 – Grasmere Boy – should be on the lead and failed to hold on last time after two wins at the maiden and handicap levels before. He’s been getting bet too.
Rich’s Ranks
5 – FIGJAM – at her best – the fastest horse and drops form a Group 3
9 – THUNDER CALL – 3rd last out by a length – 2nd place horse a win and 2nd by a hd since
11 – ANYASI – reserve horse that would be ranked 1st if he was in for sure
4 – RED SPELLS DANGER – needs to rebound a little – 7 quality starts in a row
Race 5 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic – 10:55 am ET
Middle-distance specialists take center stage in a race that frequently rewards tactical versatility and class.
Tom’s Tips
2 – Hoseki – won three in a row, two of which were class three races. She will be up with the pace and can reproduce the run from last time. She won, and that was at Ascot.
1 – Archers Bay – ran fourth last time at Newmarket and ran out of room to get a better placing. He placed in a listed race at Newmarket and had won at the novice and handicap level (class 3) before. Odds are ok, just needs a good trip.
5 – Pierre Grosse – still a maiden but has run quality races at the maiden and handicap level. He has been a midpack runner who needs to learn to finish, but can he do it here? The odds suggest he is worth considering.
Rich’s Ranks
2 – HOSEKI – no excuses for the favorite – should set up perfectly – lots of ES for a closer
8 – LEVEL LOOK – probably the most versatile horse in the race
6 – ROYAL POETRY – another closer – favorable race shape too
4 – BLUE HERCULES – of the speed horses – going here off 4 seconds faster race in last
Race 6 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile – 11:30 am ET
The finale closes out the competition with a wide-open mile that often provides one last opportunity to uncover betting value before the day is over.
Tom’s Tips
5 – Ebt’s Guard – was blocked from a clear run last time and ran ninth at Goodwood. He’s been running the one mile distance most of this racing career and the last time he won was at Ascot going one mile on the round course.
1 – Cerulean Bay – an improved second last time out at Goodwood in a class two handicap after running fourth in a listed race. Is he finally in the spot to get a win? Maybe, but running second again is more likely.
3 – Crown Board – ran second last time at Ascot in a Class 2 race on the straight course. Both starts in England this season have been placings, following three races in the UAE. He last won on the all-weather, but recent form indicates that good-to-firm going suits this horse, and he has a good chance today.
Rich’s Ranks
3 – CROWN BOARD – popped in last 3rd up and ran well enough in 1st Ascot try last out
1 – CERULEAN BAY – faster by 4 seconds in last
6 – FONDO BLANCO – taking a shot with a horse that tends to hit the board in 1st up
7 – BULLET POINT – distance 7/3-2-0 – just 1 win in 7 at any other and both 2nds in 2 at Ascot
