'Up there with the best events we've run' - Ascot happy despite drop in crowds

An elite standard of jockey and record prize-money helped Saturday's Shergar Cup score high on quality, but the crowd at Ascot was 30 per cent down on the attendance three years ago before the pandemic struck.

A total of 16,412 people attended on Saturday compared to 11,100 in 2021, shortly after pandemic restrictions were lifted, and 23,505 in 2019.

The smaller crowd reflected a drop in attendances felt across the sport, but Ascot's director of racing Nick Smith said: "We're not dwelling on the attendance figure this year as there are any number of factors at play.

"We put so much prize-money into the event this year, £550,000, which for a card without a Pattern race is a huge amount of money, and we were rewarded with full fields bar the one classified race."

This year's four-team competition saw regulars such as Emma-Jayne Wilson and Kerrin McEvoy return alongside some fresh faces, including opening-race winner Joanna Mason, and Smith believes the star-studded cast helped sell the day.

He said: "That's what it's all about, bringing really elite jockeys from all around the world to compete with or against some of ours. It was up there with the best events we've run thanks to the standard of jockeys we had.

"Emma-Jayne was buzzing from when she got off the plane on Monday – she absolutely loves the event. She rode out with Hayley [Turner] at Newmarket, and Jessie Harrington was thrilled with her winning ride."

Emma-Jayne Wilson celebrates her Shergar Cup success on Jungle CoveCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Shergar Cup is a rare chance for jockeys to let loose, and Smith was delighted with how many got into the spirit of the occasion.

"The jockeys had a fantastic time, the camaraderie between them in the weighing room and at the opening and closing ceremonies was probably the best we've ever seen," said Smith.

"All of the jockeys really threw themselves into it, it was brilliant to see things like Jamie Spencer chasing Matt Chapman around the parade ring. That's what you want to see, you want them to let their hair down and yes, when they're on the track they're doing a serious job, but during the razzmatazz around the event you want to see them patting each other on the back and waving their national flags – that's what makes the day so special."

Although the Racing League offers a similar concept, Smith believes the Shergar Cup remains an important part of the British calendar and provides a necessary break for the wider sport.

He added: "No-one is going to pretend the future of horseracing is as a team event 24 hours a day, every day of the week, but it's a great way for people who are not familiar with the sport to be brought in and learn a bit more.

"Racing is almost a 365-day-a-year sport, afternoons and evenings. It's important to have some events that break up the regular cycle.

"As long as it's done within the parameters of great prize-money and enjoyment, it's all systems go for a bright future."

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