Internationally acclaimed jockeys are set to compete at this weekend’s Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Shergar Cup, which returns to Ascot Racecourse in England.

Spectators at the premier horse racing competition on Saturday (12 August) will witness champion veteran jockey Frankie Dettori saddle up for a final tilt at the prestigious team title as part of his farewell tour, before he retires from the sport in October.

He will join an acclaimed lineup of 12 riders representing Great Britain & Ireland, Europe Rest of the World and Ladies as they compete to lift the prize.

Dettori will captain team Europe, hoping to add another win to the three he holds, most recently in 2014.

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “Once again the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup will deliver a lineup of international stars who will have the opportunity to shine on one of horse racing’s greatest stages.

The goodbye furlongs

“I am delighted that Frankie has chosen the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup as one of his final showcase events in the UK and we can expect the competition to be as fierce as ever.”

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup will be played out over six competitive handicaps.

Supporting Dettori in team Europe will be French ace Olivier Peslier – part of the 2014 winning side alongside Dettori – and Kazakh-born Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, who claimed four consecutive champion jockey titles in Germany before being appointed stable jockey to Andre Fabre earlier this year.

Great Britain & Ireland will be led by Luke Morris, who won last season’s Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Alpinista.

He will be joined by Tom Marquand, successful on Desert Hero for Their Majesties The King & Queen at Royal Ascot, and former Irish champion Declan McDonogh.

Team Rest of the World is captained by Brazilian sensation João Moreira, supported by Kazuo Yokoyama, a multiple Group 1 winner in his native Japan, and Hong Kong-based Matthew Chadwick, a former winner of the Alistair Haggas Silver Saddle at the DDF Shergar Cup.

Heading up the Ladies team is Hayley Turner, the DDF Shergar Cup’s most successful rider and twice-winner of the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle for the rider amassing the most individual points.

Hollie Doyle is set to make her third appearance at the event, fresh from riding three winners at Royal Ascot, while Saffie Osborne makes her debut.

The six-race DDF Shergar Cup will be followed by a post-race concert, featuring performances from Craig David, Marvin Humes and Melanie C.