UAE. Dubai Duty Free has extended its sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for a further two years.
The airport retailer has been the title sponsor of Ireland’s premier horse race since 2008. According to Dubai Duty Free, “the extension is a very welcome development for racing”.
Dubai Duty Free will sponsor five additional races in the three-day event at the Curragh Racecourse, County Kildare, on 26, 27 and 28 June. It will also continue to sponsor the popular most stylish race-goer competition which offers a five-star Dubai holiday to its winner.
This year the Dubai Duty Free Village, located in the Curragh garden, will offer a new entertainment venue, which will include food & beverage outlets, close to the parade ring.
Prize money on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day on Saturday 27 June will increase from €2 million in 2019 to €2.25 million this year. In 2021 all races will increase to a minimum value of €100,000.
Dubai Duty Free will also continue to support the Irish Derby ‘Free Entry’ initiative which encourages owners to run their horses in the Curragh Classic. The Dee Stakes and the Chester Vase at Chester Racecourse and the Prix De Lys in Longchamp have been added to existing races this year.
“Our title sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is in line with our global strategy of promoting both our own duty free brand and the city of Dubai itself”– Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin
Dubai Duty Free has also increased its support of stable staff. It will continue to present a trophy to the groom whose horse wins a Dubai Duty Free-sponsored race and to offer a cash prize for the best turned out horse in each of their races.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a premium race meeting, generating global media coverage. Our title sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is in line with our global strategy of promoting both our own duty free brand and the city of Dubai itself.
“This sponsorship enables us to reach our potential audience and to speak to them through the medium of exciting, premium sport.”
McLoughlin noted Dubai Duty Free’s successful sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for the past 12 years.
“We are very pleased that we have been able to grow this festival, with the help of our partners at the Curragh. The weekend is now much more than racing with various ancillary events happening off the track over the weekend including a golf classic, a charity lunch and lots of local community initiatives which we are proud to support. It has grown to become a ‘must visit’ festival and we are proud to be the title sponsor of this prestigious racing festival.”
The Curragh Racecourse Chief Executive Pat Keogh commented: “Dubai Duty Free have been outstanding partners of the Curragh and I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution that Colm McLoughlin and his team have made to the success of the Irish Derby since 2008.
“Their increased support across their six sponsored races for the next two years will ensure we can maximise the quality and competitiveness across all races.”
Keogh said the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was the highest-rated race in the world and underlined the racecourse’s objective to ensure it attracts the top three-year-old horses in Europe.
“The extension of the ‘Free Entry’ is a great initiative and will encourage owners and trainers to be part of Ireland’s greatest and most valuable horse race,” he added.
