Dubai Duty Free IRISH DERBY

Heart pounding action, the sound of hooves thundering past, the colourful silks and mesmerising horses. You can experience it all at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival!  From the very special Corinthian Challenge Race in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys fund on Friday night to the spectacle of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday, this is a weekend of epic racing.

Scroll right for the thrilling racing schedule for each of the three days!

A fantastic summer race evening announcing the start of the exhilarating Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival!

The evening features the Corinthian Challenge race, a very special event in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund. Watch amateur riders race with passion and purpose, supporting a cause close to the hearts of the Irish racing community.

1650 Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub Maiden, 1720 O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey Maiden , 1750 JJ Mahon and Sons Handicap, 1820 Silken Thomas Kildare Handicap, 1850 James Nolan’s Bar Kildare Maiden, 1925 Diageo Luxury Spirits Maiden Stakes, 2000 Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby, 2035 Corinthian Challenge (Charity Race)

Including feature races The Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1), Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2) and the Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Ladies Derby.

1315 Barronstown Stud EBF Maiden, 1345 Airlie Stud Stakes G2, 1420 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes G3, 1455 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes G3, 1530 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes G1, 1605 Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Ladies Derby, 1640 Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes Benz Handicap, 1715 Keadean Hotel Maiden

Featuring the absolute pinnacle of the Irish Flat Racing Calendar – the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Nothing matches the thrill, the history and the spectacle associated with this epic race! A must visit day for the racing purist!

1315 Dubai Duty Free Premier Handicap, 1355 Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Premier Handicap, 1425 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Dash (L), 1455 Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes 1530 Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Premier Handicap, 1610 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1 Classic), 1650 Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort Ragusa Premier Handicap, 1720 GAIN Summer Fillies Premier Handicap, 1755 Dubai Duty Free Stayers Handicap

Top class performances across the three days with unforgettable evenings of singing and dancing in Champions Hall on both Friday and Sunday following the thrilling action on the track.

As the sun sets on Friday night racing, enjoy live music with THE CLASSIC BEATLES in Champions Hall. Throughout the weekend the Curragh will be alive with fantastic Irish musicians, the Ramblin Rovers and more amazing performers.

Sunday night will see THE WHISTLIN’ DONKEYS bring the festival to a close with their unique blend of traditional Irish music and Celtic rock influences.  Heart pounding and foot stomping fun to close the weekend!

Get ready fashionistas! There will be some phenomenal prizes on offer on both Saturday and Sunday of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival.

The K Club’s Most Stylish Racegoer Award will be presented on Saturday 28th June with comedy creator Kayleigh Trappe revealed as this year’s star judge! With the theme of Summer Florals, the chosen Flower Queen or King will come up smelling of roses with an incredible prize of 3 nights in one of the K Club’s luxury suites to be won!  Get cultivating your winning outfit now!

Sat 28th June style schedule; Get noticed at the main entrance to the Curragh racecourse from 11am to 12.45pm.  Style ceremony and Classic Catwalk from 1.10pm sharp in Whispering Angel Garden Bar. Winner announced by 2pm!

Celebrity chef and style icon Clodagh McKenna has been announced as the Lead Fashion Judge for the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Best Dressed Competition, taking place on Sunday, 29th June at The Curragh.

Clodagh will be joined on the judging panel by lifestyle and fashion writer Bairbre Power and Alpana Cidambi, representing Dubai Duty Free, the event’s long-standing title sponsor. “I’ll be looking for glamour, elegance, and a touch of personality,” Clodagh added. “I love to have excuse to get on the finery!  Fashion and style is a passion of mine and it’s something I really enjoy.”

The winner of the Best Dressed Competition will win a spectacular prize package from Dubai Duty Free including return flights to Dubai for two people, 5 nights at the luxurious Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, and €1000 spending money to enjoy at the award-winning airport retailer.

Sun 29th June style schedule; Get noticed at the main entrance to the Curragh racecourse from 11am to 12.45pm.  Style ceremony and Classic Catwalk from 1.10pm sharp in Whispering Angel Garden Bar. Winner announced by 2pm!

Let’s hope the sun shines down on the beautiful Curragh racecourse.  The flowers will be in full bloom and whilst there is lots of exciting action on the track, there’s also lovely things to see and do off the track! Stroll around, revel in the exciting atmosphere, enjoy our roving performers, relax over a cocktail or a coffee and enjoy days of summer socialising.

We’re feeling nostalgic at the Curragh and for two unforgettable days on Derby Saturday and Sunday, we are reopening the old entrance to the racecourse for anybody who would like to enter under the old wrought iron canopy and beautiful wooden beams!

Park at Ballymany Hill and arrive straight into the Derby Village. Bring your friends and embrace our chill vibe for an amazing day out.

Enjoy a week of racing, music, family fun and Kildare’s finest food at the Kildare Derby Festival which runs from Sunday 22nd June to Sunday 29th June.  With amazing FREE entertainment such as the Pooch Parade, Art Exhibitions and live music including Goodtime Supergroup, SMASH HITS, live in the Square after Saturday’s racing, there is a huge line up of activities to enjoy!

Long time supporters of the Curragh Racecourse, Dubai Duty Free (DDF), founded in 1983, has grown into one of the biggest travel retail operators in the world.  Located at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Dubai Duty Free has grown to become one of the largest and most successful duty-free shopping operations in the world. DDF offers a wide range of products, including luxury goods, electronics, perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, watches, jewelry, confectionery, and tobacco, all at tax-free prices, making it an attractive shopping destination for international travelers.