Ascot willing to discuss Shergar Cup team colours after Mark Johnston criticism

Ascot said on Sunday it was open to discussions on the future of team colours for the Shergar Cup after leading trainer Mark Johnston said they spoiled the event.

The use of team silks, where the three jockeys from each squad wear the same colour but with different designs to help recognition, have been a part of the fixture since 2010, but were criticised by Johnston, who said individual runners were hard to identify.

Johnston, who had three runners at this year’s meeting, said he hated the colours, that they "spoil" the day and that owners would prefer to see their own silks carried by their horses.

Commentator Mark Johnson, who called the action for ITV Racing, agreed on Sunday that clearer and more vivid colours would be better for punters, horsemen and officials.

He said: "They’re not too bad but I see where Mark’s coming from. Some of the colours look extremely similar from a distance and while it’s doable from a race reading point of view, it needs some tweaking to make the silks more vivid and clear for everyone."

Ascot would take the observations into account, according to the course’s director of racing and communications Nick Smith.

He said: "Everything is worth listening to. With the Shergar Cup nothing is set in stone; it's not that kind of event as it’s fluid and always developing. I wouldn't say we wouldn't consider an alternative to the team colours.

Mark Johnston: said he hated the colours, that they 'spoil' the dayCredit: David Carr

"The principal reason for them is during the week you can put [the riders] in those colours and on the day they resonate with an audience that doesn't normally go racing.

"While it isn't as easy for commentators and punters to pick the horses in running, it's certainly not impossible. It's a popular, one-off, unique aspect of the day."

While the use of the team silks denied owners the chance to see their colours, Smith pointed to the incentives Ascot provided to those willing to run at the Shergar Cup and was eager to have a proactive and positive relationship with everyone participating in the jockeys' event.

"It's a quid pro quo with the owners, if you like, for one day of the year to allow the [team] colours to be worn," Smith said. "It's one day of the year and we have six £60,000 races each of which had a £15,000 injection in funding this year.

"There are no entry fees, prize-money is all the way down the field and the owners' package on the day is enhanced and includes a champagne reception.

"The offer for owners is one of the best of the year and in a ten-runner race you're creating a scenario where there are no losers. The big positive for us is we want owners to support this day.”

Nick Smith: believes a quality package is offered to the owners for the Shergar CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ascot was forced to cancel the meeting's popular after-racing concert when the stage was damaged by high winds. No suitable alternative platform for hosting music could be provided, which disappointed many racegoers.

Partial refunds have been offered and Smith hopes the positive aspects of the meeting can continue to resonate with the public.

He said: "We accepted the event was sold as a racing and concert package and half of that wasn't going to happen, so offered a 50 per cent refund. We really wanted to stage the concert if we possibly could but it was impossible.

"It was fantastic day of racing and the meeting is going from strength to strength. We couldn't be more pleased and the sponsors couldn't be more pleased with the attention they are looking for."

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