ACROBATS FORM 6FT HUMAN RACEHORSE

 Painted in elaborate body art, the 6ft figure is made up of 10 contortionists and it took seven hours to create the striking image of a racehorse ridden by German jockey, Stefanie Hofer passing the winning post at the famous racecourse. Hofer will be making her debut at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup this year as part of The Girls team, alongside Canadian, Emma-Jayne Wilson and Brit, Hayley Turner.

 Ascot Racecourse enlisted a team of talented contortionists courtesy of Scarlett Entertainment, and used make-up artists, Civilised Mess, to transform the human bodies using detailed animal artwork. It took the make-up artists five hours of intricate work to fully complete the body paintwork. Civilised Mess has previously created designs for Cirque Le Soir and Slamboree. 

 Now in its 14th year, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, to be held on Saturday 9^th August 2014, is one of Ascot’s most loved race meetings. As the only team-format raceday in the UK, groups of friends and families turn out in their thousands to pledge their allegiance to one of four teams of top international jockeys seeking victory by collectively acquiring the most number of points for their team through success across the six-race card.

 The four teams are Great Britain & Ireland, Europe, the Rest of the World and The Girls. Other stars of the track to watch out for include Frankie Dettori and Andrea Atzeni riding for Europe, and South African superstar S’manga Khumalo who has ridden to prominence in his homeland recently and will be making his UK debut at the event.

 Racing is followed by a free evening concert for racegoers, Ascot Live!, hosted by TV personality and former BBC Radio 1 DJ Vernon Kay and featuring The Stars From The Commitments, Scouting for Girls, B*Witched, Bjorn Again and the one and only, Chesney Hawkes.

 Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing at Ascot Racecourse said: “This year we wanted to do something genuinely different to celebrate our renewed and enhanced partnership with Dubai Duty Free, who have extended their support of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by becoming sole sponsor from this year. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is a unique competition and deserved something striking to mark its place on the calendar. The acrobats and Steffi performed miracles to produce this pose and we hope everyone will agree that it is fascinating to see them transformed into the image of a winning racehorse passing the post at Ascot.”

 Grandstand Admission for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is available from £20 in advance. Premier Admission from £35. Book now to secure up to 20% off ‘on the day’ prices.

 Free entry for 18’s. Concert included within the raceday ticket. Premier Admission ticket holders will have priority access to the concert allowing them to secure the best viewing positions.

 Or treat yourself to a day in a restaurant or private box. Ascot has a wide range of restaurants, bars and concessions offering a variety of food and drink options at different price points. Plus private boxes for hire with a host of different packages available.