Teenage riding sensation Billy Loughnane is set to make his Shergar Cup debut at Ascot on Saturday. The 18-year-old, who achieved a Royal Ascot double in June, will join the Great Britain & Ireland team, which will be captained by Tadgh O’Shea.
Balancing out the experience for the team is 52-year-old Seamie Heffernan, the former long-standing Ballydoyle number two. Heffernan boasts over 1,000 career wins and includes the Derby and Oaks at Epsom on his impressive resume.
This year’s Shergar Cup will see representation from nine countries, with an equal number of male and female jockeys participating for the first time.
Among the female riders is Marie Velon, the first French female jockey to win a Group One race, securing the Prix Royal-Oak on Iresine in 2022. She will join the Ladies team, led by Shergar Cup veteran Hayley Turner, making her record-breaking 17th appearance, with Saffie Osborne also adding to the team's strength.
The Rest of the World team will be led by Rachel King and will feature Japanese rider Nanako Fujita, as well as South African jockey Rachel Venniker.
Europe will be captained by Bauryzhan Murzabayev and will include Italian Alberto Sanna and Spaniard Jose-Luis Borrego.
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot, expressed excitement for this year's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, featuring representation from nine countries. He highlighted the inclusion of top jockeys like Billy Loughnane and Group One winners Rachel King and Marie Velon, emphasising the event's prestige. Smith noted the success of the Ladies team and welcomed three more female jockeys to the Rest of the World team.