Shergar Cup History and Rules
Shergar’s name is infamous in racing folklore as much for his headline-grabbing almost-certain demise as for his exceptional performances on the racecourse.
Kidnapped by the IRA following his retirement to stud, the Aga Khan’s colt was one of the finest Derby winners of the 20th century and without argument the best racehorse of his generation but the striking chestnut was never seen again after the 8th February 1983, when hooded gunmen seized the stallion. A £2million ransom was demanded and refused and the luckless Shergar slipped into legend.
At stake for the winning team in the annual Shergar Cup is a magnificent trophy which depicts the mighty 1981 Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, graciously donated by His Highness The Aga Khan, who owned Shergar.
Points will be awarded to the first five horses to finish in each of the six Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup races as follows – winner: 15 points; second: 10 points; third: 7 points; fourth: 5 points; fifth: 3 points. If there is a non-runner which cannot be replaced by a reserve, 4 points will be awarded both to the team and jockey missing out on a ride. The team with the most points after the six races have been run will receive the Shergar Cup at the closing ceremony.
If a dead-heat occurs in a race, the points for the two places are added together, divided by two and shared between the two jockeys/teams.
If there is a tie for the Team or Silver Saddle competitions, there will be a countback on the number of winners and the team/jockey with the most winners will be adjudged the winner overall. If they are still level, then second places will be counted, then if necessary third places, then if necessary fourth places. If they are still level, there will be joint winners.
The six races are worth a boosted total of £270,000 in prize money and the jockey amassing the most individual points will take home an additional £3,000 plus the “Allistair Haggis Silver Saddle” trophy.
Maybe the Shergar Cup will never rivals golf’s Ryder Cup in terms of popularity or excitement but this year’s event is a sell-out, no doubt boosted by post-race entertainment featuring Craig David and All Saints. The Rest Of The World team won last year, their sixth victory in the competition making them the most successful. Europe have won four times and Great Britain and Ireland twice, though a separate Ireland team won three times in a row between 2009 and 2011. The Girls have won just once, in 2015, but are a relatively recent addition to the format and have more than held their own against their male counterparts since joining battle.
Shergar Cup 2017 Team Betting
GB and Ireland (9/4), Europe (5/2), Rest Of The World (11/4), Girls (4/1)
The Rest Of The World team look value at 11/4 with Paddy Power to grab a seventh Shergar Cup victory as looking through the six-race card, they look to have at least three excellent winning chances.
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Australian Kerrin McEvoy is our choice to win the Silver Saddle at 11/2 with William Hill, who are best odds on several riders. McEvoy has a strong book of rides including Lexington Abbey in the Dash and Contango in the Classic.
Silver Saddle Current Best Odds
Adrie De Vries and Kerrin McEvoy (11/2), Neil Callan (6/1), Fran Berry and Hayley Turner (10/1), Emma Jayne Wilson and Jamie Spencer (12/1), Anthony Delpech and Umberto Rispoli (16/1), Keita Tosaki (20/1), Alexander Pietsch (25/1), Michelle Payne (33/1)
