Field size concerns prompt Ascot to take Shergar Cup races back to ten runners

Concerns over the availability of runners has led to a reduction in field sizes for the Shergar Cup a week on Saturday. Newly increased prize-money of £550,000 for the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored event prompted organisers to announce an expansion to 12 runners per race, but that has now been returned to ten, the traditional figure for the fixture.

The decision was taken by Ascot in consultation with the BHA and trainers' representatives following ten-runner fields for the two handicaps at the end of Saturday's King George card. Those Class 2 contests, worth £60,000 each, were similar to the Shergar Cup races, six of which will offer £75,000 while the remaining two offer £50,000.

Ascot had hoped that free entry for Shergar Cup races, as well as £25,000 in stable bonuses and prize-money to tenth place, would ensure a dozen runners in each contest. But incomplete fields would undermine the scoring system for the event's jockey competition, so officials have opted for a cautious approach. Two reserves in each race will be paid £500 if they fail to make the cut.

"The headwinds suggest that the horse population at Class 2 and perhaps Class 3 level is becoming out of kilter with the number of races available to them," said Ascot's director of racing Nick Smith.

That may in part be due to Racing League fixtures on the Thursdays either side of the Shergar Cup. Smith, however, praised that venture as "a welcome addition to the industry's drive to attract new racegoers".

Each of the 16 jockeys at the Shergar Cup, led by Frankie Dettori, will now get five rides rather than six.

Ascot also offered stable bonuses on the King George card, based on finishing positions. George Boughey came top, with £12,500 to be divided among trainer and staff, followed by James Fanshawe (£7,500) and Richard Hannon (£5,000).

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