Asia Triumphs at the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup – A Historic Victory
The 2025 edition of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse delivered one of the most thrilling contests in recent memory. The event, held on Saturday, 9 August, saw the newly-created Team Asia secure a dramatic victory, edging out Team Europe by a single point in a nail-biting finish to the world-renowned international jockeys’ competition.
The winning team featured a talented trio—Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai, and Mirai Iwata—who showcased their skill and determination throughout the day. Their combined efforts secured Asia’s first victory in the Shergar Cup since 2014, marking a major milestone in the event’s history.
Key Moments of the Day
Team Asia celebrated two standout wins on the card. Narredu, riding Fireblade, powered to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers, while Sakai impressed with a strong performance on the promising three-year-old Prince Of India in the Shergar Cup Sprint. These decisive wins set the tone for Asia’s campaign and gave them the crucial points needed to challenge Europe at the top of the leaderboard.
Mirai Iwata also delivered a vital contribution, guiding Cerulean Bay to a runner-up finish in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile. Though it wasn’t a victory, those extra points proved decisive, helping Team Asia secure a final tally of 68 points, just one point clear of Team Europe’s 67. Great Britain & Ireland finished third with 62 points, while Rest of the World claimed fourth place with 55.
A Historic Finish
The Shergar Cup is renowned for its competitive spirit and international flavor, but this year’s edition stood out as one of the closest in recent memory. Asia’s one-point triumph not only highlighted the team’s resilience but also underlined the rising influence of Asian jockeys on the global racing stage.
This historic win ended an 11-year wait for Team Asia, who last lifted the trophy in 2014. The victory was celebrated with much enthusiasm, as the team lifted the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup in front of an energetic crowd at Ascot.
The 2025 Shergar Cup will be remembered as the year Asia created new champions, proving that determination, teamwork, and talent can overcome even the toughest of challenges.
