Hugh Bowman stars at Shergar Cup 2025

Australian riding great Hugh Bowman has once again shone on one of the sport’s biggest stages, taking out the Silver Saddle for leading jockey at the celebrated Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot in England on Saturday night, Australian time.

Based in Hong Kong in recent years, the Hall of Fame rider captured the honour for the second time in his career, having first lifted the Silver Saddle in 2007 when he captained the Rest Of The World team to overall victory.

“It is great to be back,” Bowman said. “I am very appreciative of the opportunity to ride here this year, representing the Rest of the World team, and to be back at the Royal Ascot track, it’s hallowed ground, it’s an honour. It is great to be here, the Shergar Cup is a unique event. Riding on this track is something that all jockeys around the world aspire to do. I have had the privilege of doing it previously and to come back and win a race (is great).”

The Shergar Cup sees a dozen elite riders from across the globe divided into four squads, each collecting points across six races to decide the team and individual winners.

Bowman joined forces with Karis Teetan from Mauritius and American rider Katie Davis for the Rest Of The World lineup, kicking off the day by winning the Shergar Cup Dash (1005m) aboard Vintage Clarets and adding two further placings to secure the top jockey accolade.

It was Team Asia who lifted the team trophy, led by Indian jockey Suraj Narredu – a familiar face to Australian racing fans after riding here in 2023. Narredu made history as the first Indian rider to win a Shergar Cup race when guiding Fireblade to victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (3208m).

“After my winner, to win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake,” Narredu said. “I am glad to have made full use of the opportunity I was given. It is always good to learn, explore and experience things like this.”