UK. The Moodie Davitt Report was on location for the 2022 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, where Great Britain & Ireland secured a decisive home victory. The event was held on 6 August at the Ascot Racecourse, with Great Britain & Ireland securing 132 points.
Joanna Mason from the Ladies team, won Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day. The Ladies, who won last year’s tournament, completed the event with 81 points, ahead of the Rest of the World at 72 points and Europe with 51 points. Neil Callan, who returned to the UK after ten years riding in Hong Kong, won the coveted Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Award.
Teams of four leading riders each represented Great Britain & Ireland, Ladies, Europe and Rest of the World, contesting eight valuable handicaps each worth a minimum of £50,000 in prize money. The event attracts a big global audience, offering a boost to Dubai Duty Free’s profile and to the marketing of Dubai as a destination.
“This year’s renewal of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup has again delivered highly competitive racing and a terrific atmosphere,” commented Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin. “We congratulate all the winners and thank all the participants who continue to support this truly global occasion.”
The first race was won by Joanna Mason riding William Haggas-trained horse Amanzoe. The second race was won by Neil Callan, who rode Orbaan, a Newmarket treble from the stables of David O’Meara. The first two races of the eight-race card were worth £50,000, which stepped up to £75,000 for the remaining six, bringing the total price money of the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored event to £550,000.
The third race was won by Hayley Turner, who was recognised in last year’s tournament for her exceptional contribution to the event. Jamie Spencer won the fourth race, riding Themaxwecan, followed by Kieran Shoemark who won the fifth race on Pride of Priory – extending Great Britain & Ireland’s lead to a 31-point gap.
Emma-Jayne Wilson won the sixth race on Jungle Cove, while Hamaki – another horse from William Haggas – secured the win in the seventh race with Jamie Spencer.
Finally, Neil Callan secured the victory for Great Britain & Ireland in the last race riding Adaay in Asia.
Callan was joined on the podium for the closing ceremony by the rest of the Great Britain & Ireland team: Jamie Spencer, Kieran Shoemark and Daniel Tudhope. They were joined by top executives from Dubai Duty Free including Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin, Joint Chief Operating Officer Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President Marketing Sinead El Sibai and Supervisor PR & Media Bernard Aquino.
