IRELAND/UAE. The ninth Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby – one of the most high profile horse races in the world – took place on Saturday at The Curragh racecourse, with the Dermot Weld-trained Harzand capturing the title after a hard-fought battle with challenger Idaho.
Harzand thereby achieved a remarkable double; the horse had earlier won the Epsom Derby in the UK.
The event, which is shown on TV to a worldwide audience of millions each year, provides a strong marketing platform for Dubai Duty Free and for Dubai as a destination. Dubai Duty Free sponsored six of the eight races on the day, with an attendance of around 18,500 at The Curragh.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin presented the winning connections with a new, specially commissioned trophy created by Kilkenny artist Ani Mollineau in front of a packed grandstand while a spectacular air display took place in the skies above.
A delighted Dermot Weld said: “It was a much better race then it was at Epsom. He had to improve and he did. I knew my horse had improved physically but it was great to see two fine jockeys Pat Smullen and Ryan Moore fighting all the way to the finish line. He had been on antibiotics last week but I knew he was in good form as his coat had begun to shine.”
Commenting on Pat Smullen’s performance, Weld added “He is an outstanding rider, at the peak of his career and has won great races all over the world.”
Smullen was completing an Irish Derby double for the Curragh trainer having won Ireland’s premier classic race on Gray Swallow in 2004.
Welcoming guests to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby VIP Pavilion as the day began, McLoughlin highlighted the company’s support for Irish sport, with its long-standing commitment to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and its sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by The Rory Foundation.
He welcomed friends and colleagues, singling out many of those from Shannon Airport who played a part in Dubai Duty Free’s beginnings in 1983. He also hailed the contribution of President George Horan, who retired at the end of May.
The day started with a drinks reception followed by a lunch and full hospitality and entertainment, including a magician, two caricature artist, a pamper zone for ladies, two jazz bands and a string quartet.
Well-known faces in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby VIP Pavilion included Oscar-nominated film maker Jim Sheridan, media personalities,Anne Doyle, model agency boss Celia Holman Lee, retired champion jockey Lester Piggott, Leinster rugby players Luke McGrath and James Tracy, plus equestrian Olympic hopeful Greg Broderick.
Eva Hayes Morrissey won the title of the Dubai Duty Free Most Stylish Lady. She was chosen as the overall winner by a judging panel led by Breeda McLoughlin, wife of Colm McLoughlin, singer and media personality Rachel Stevens, Image Magazine’s Editor in Chief Melanie Morris, James Amos from Boodles and fashion editor of the Irish Independent Bairbre Power.
Hayes Morrissey won the top prize of a holiday to Dubai for two courtesy of Dubai Duty Free comprising five nights in Dubai Duty Free-owned The Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, return flights and €1,000 to spend at Dubai Duty Free. The prize also included a statement piece of jewellery from Boodles and an overnight stay at The Marker Hotel in Dublin.
The full festival included several ancillary events which ran on and off the track including the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic on 23 June at the Palmer Ryder Cup course at The K Club. It also included the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Ball, also held at The K Club on the eve of the derby, in aid of The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.
McLoughlin added: “We began as a company with US$20 million in annual sales and we have a business now worth around US$2 billion, with 6,100 staff.”
He concluded: “This is a unique occasion and we are happy to see the brand of Dubai Duty Free being associated with this iconic race, we are really looking forward to seeing the completely redeveloped Curragh Racecourse in a couple of years.”
