Watching Saffie Osborne chase down a fleeing Ryan Moore while spraying and soaking him with champagne amounted to witnessing one of those rare moments when the usually ultra-calm and unflappable Moore was, for once, caught well and truly out of his comfort zone.
That moment came after the Great Britain and Ireland team, made up of Moore, Osborne and Dylan Browne McMonagle, claimed the 2026 Shergar Cup at Ascot with a winning tally of 81 points, finishing 19 points clear of Team Hong Kong in second place.
Moore’s individual haul of 47 points secured him the Silver Saddle Trophy for a second time, adding to the title he first won back in 2006, the last time he competed in the Shergar Cup.
Across the six-race competition, Moore rode a double aboard Asgard’s Captain and Archers Bay, while Osborne scored on Red Spells Danger. Team Hong Kong celebrated victories through Jerry Chau on Tuco Salamanca and Luke Ferraris aboard Dancing In Paris, while Frida Valle-Skar rounded out the winners for Team Europe when Crown Board took out the final Shergar Cup race.
All of the winning jockeys had reason to celebrate, but it was Osborne who perhaps enjoyed the biggest laugh after the racing.
“I just attempted to make Ryan laugh, and did so successfully,” Osborne told the Racing Post, after chasing Moore across the course with a bottle of champagne.
For Jamie Melham, the meeting still provided valuable international experience, although luck deserted her in the saddle. A well-beaten fifth placing proved to be her best result across the day.
