Ascot announces Shergar Cup cancellation for this year

Popular team competition had been scheduled for August.

Ascot has cancelled this year’s Dubai Shergar Cup meeting due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular team competition, which was scheduled for August 8, features four squads of international jockeys competing over six races at the Berkshire venue, with a concert after racing.

However, with travel restrictions currently in place for some countries and crowds at sporting events prohibited for the immediate future, Ascot has decided to call off the event.

Director of racing and public affairs Nick Smith said: “Regrettably, given the complexities of flying jockeys around the world and uncertainty over what Governmental regulations will be in place at the time, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup won’t take place this year.”

Guy Henderson, chief executive at Ascot, added: “Following discussions with long-term event partners Dubai Duty Free, we decided that this event, even if logistically possible, wouldn’t be the same without crowds and that the best option was to plan ahead to return with the event in 2021.

“Our thanks go to Colm McLoughlin and the Dubai Duty Free team for their ongoing support of the competition.”

Ascot is hoping to stage a normal raceday on August 8 instead, with the track also confirming its meetings until September will be run behind closed doors.

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