Its success is clear to see: 30,000 people can't be wrong

1 The ShergarCup may be synonymous with Ascot but it didn't start there. Goodwood hosted the first event under the title in May 1999 with an event featuring two teams of horses divided on the basis of their owners as Europe took on the Middle East. Certain trainers supplied horses for both sides and some jockeys rode for both sides.

2 The inaugural event was the brainchild of BHB chairman Peter Savill, who was keen to introduce a Ryder Cup-style team competition to racing. He didn't mess about with his team captains: they were Robert Sangster and Sheikh Mohammed. Basically this was Europe versus the Maktoums, with a dozen runners from Godolphin alone, among them three winners in the shape of Opera King, Mythical Girl and Diktat

3 Not that many of those involved needed the money, but it was quite hard to lose out in the inaugural ShergarCup which involved two £100,000 events and four worth £50,000. Only two of the races were handicaps; prize-money went down to ninth place in all six races. Not bad in ten-runner fields. There were no entry fees, as is still the case.