Ramesh Cidambi presents the DDF Ride of the Day trophy to Asia Team captain Suraj Narredu.

The 2025 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 9 August drew a crowd of more than 20,000 racegoers to witness the one of the most competitive renewals in recent years, with the newly-created Asia Team edging out Europe by one point in a thrilling conclusion to the international jockeys’ competition.

Members of the TRBusiness team were in attendance for a high-energy dose of horse racing action teamed with the signature hospitality of Dubai Duty Free (DDF), which has been the title sponsor of the Shergar Cup since 2006.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of DDF, said: “We are delighted to support the further evolution of this unique event and the introduction of the Asia Team which will undoubtedly add to the global appeal of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.”

The Asia Team, comprising Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata, posted two victories on the card, with Narredu guiding Fireblade to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers and Sakai scoring on promising three-year-old Prince Of India in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.

Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi presented the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup trophy to Team Asia’s Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata. Cidambi was accompanied by DDF’s Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR and Salim Dahman, Senior Manager – Marketing.

Iwata delivered a vital contribution on runner-up Cerulean Bay in the closing Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile, leaving Asia with a final points total of 68 – one point ahead of Europe, with Great Britain & Ireland in third with 62 points and Rest of the World in fourth with 55 points.

It was the first time since 2014 a team has won the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by a single point after Europe denied the Ladies.

Dubai Duty Free’s Ramesh Cidambi addresses the room.

“I am absolutely delighted. After my winner, to win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake,” said Asia’s team captain Narredu.

“I know this is a new team that was introduced this year and I am sure in future they will be a force to be reckoned with.

“The Asia team deserves to get recognition and I am proud to captain the team. It was fabulous for us to get two winners and some place points from the six races. We all enjoyed ourselves and it is a big deal to have come. It will be big back home in India.”

TRBusiness’ Nigel J. Hardy, Co-Owner & Joint Chief Executive Officer; Faye Bartle, Managing Editor; and Luke Barras-Hill, Editorial Director.

To cap a gripping Ascot debut, Narredu was also awarded the Dubai Duty Free Ride of the Day judged by Dubai Duty Free guest, former Derby winning jockey John Reid, for his win on the Dylan Cunha-trained Fireblade.

Cidambi was joined for the presentation of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, Sinead El Sibai Senior Vice President – Marketing, Mona Al Ali Senior Vice President – HR and Salim Dahman Senior Manager – Marketing.

The post event concert featured Perrie, Joel Corry and Marvin Humes.

Eight of the 12 riders comprising the four teams were making their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debuts, including Katie Davis, multiple Stakes winning jockey in the USA, Delphine Santiago, France’s all-time leading female jockey, and Dario Di Tocco dual champion jockey in his native Italy.

The day ended with a music concert featuring Perrie, Joel Corry and Marvin Humes.

READ MORE: Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup returns to Ascot Racecourse this weekend