Ryan Moore returned to the Shergar Cup and guided Great Britain & Ireland to victory

The Irish star jockey returned to the team competition after a two-decade absence, taking two races and finishing as top scorer for a squad that dominated with authority at Ascot; Hong Kong surprised early on, but couldn't keep up the pace

Saffie Osborne and Ryan Moore, vital in the victory / ASCOT

BERKSHIRE, Ascot—twenty years after his sole appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, Ryan Moorereturned to Ascot's traditional team competition to do exactly what he did in 2006: lead Great Britain & Ireland to the title.

the three-time British champion jockey was the standout star of the card, accumulating 47 points to capture the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle as top rider of the day and anchor a collective performance that ended in a commanding victory for his squad, who prevailed with 81 points.

the story carried a strong sense of déjà vu. in his debut two decades ago, Moore had also finished as top scorer for the winning team. this time he repeated the formula with remarkable consistency: after finishing seventh in the opening event, he placed in the top three in all four of his remaining mounts, taking the Shergar Cup Challenge with Asgard's Captain (Make Believe) and later claiming the Shergar Cup Classic aboard Archers Bay (Wootton Bassett).

"it was really nice to be back. I enjoyed it a lot. it's great to catch up with jockeys like Yutaka Take and Christophe Lemaire, riders I looked up to when I was a kid. I hope everyone enjoyed the show," Moore said.

team captain Saffie Osborne also chipped in with a victory, taking the Shergar Cup Sprint aboard Red Spells Danger(Cotai Glory), while Irishman Dylan Browne McMonagle provided crucial points by placing in the top three in four of his five rides.

"it was honestly so much fun. it's a fantastic day to bring new people into racing and show how entertaining this sport can be. it gives younger fans a team to root for all afternoon, and sharing a dressing room with so many world-class jockeys is always a great learning experience," Osborne noted.

the day's biggest surprise came courtesy of debutants Team Hong Kong, who got off to a flying start. Jerry Chau and Vincent Ho delivered a 1-2 finish in the Shergar Cup Dash, while just half an hour later Luke Ferraris extended their lead by claiming the Shergar Cup Stayers with Dancing In Paris (Olympic Glory).

however, the early momentum gradually waned, leaving the Asian squad tied for second with Europe at 62 points apiece. the Europeans mounted a late surge thanks to a 1-2 sweep by Frida Valle Skar and Christophe Lemaire in the Shergar Cup Mile, the curtain-closer of the meeting.

Ferraris, in addition to his victory, earned the Ride of the Day award.

"I'm thrilled, though the real credit goes to trainer Ian Williams, who brought the horse here in peak condition. the whole experience was extraordinary. we got off to a great start and couldn't quite keep the momentum going until the end, but I think we represented Hong Kong very well. I'd love to come back next year," the South African rider expressed.

Jerry Chau also made a lasting impression, entering the final race with a genuine shot at the individual riding title.

"the day was even better than I expected. winning the first race, especially on my very first ride at Ascot, was unforgettable. riding here is so different from any other track; it took me a little time to get used to the layout. the atmosphere was incredible, and I'd love to come back next year. it's also a dream of mine to ride at Royal Ascot one day," he admitted.

fourth place went to the Rest of the World team, comprising Yutaka Take, Suraj Narredu, and Jamie Melham, who finished with 39 points.

for Narredu, despite failing to land a winner, the experience remained unforgettable.

"it was an absolute honor to be part of the Shergar Cup. with only six races for twelve jockeys, it's natural that some go home without a win. I would love to return. I've always dreamed of riding at Royal Ascot, and maybe to make that happen I'll need to come over earlier and base myself with a trainer for a bit," he concluded.

with Ryan Moore's triumphant return and a contest that once again blended spectacle, camaraderie, and international stars, the Shergar Cup reaffirmed why it remains one of the most original and compelling formats on the global racing calendar.