The Curragh Racecourse is delighted to announce that Dubai Duty Free have agreed to extend their sponsorship of the Irish Derby for a further two years. In addition, they have agreed to sponsor five other races which will all benefit from significant increases in prize money. The world’s leading airport retailer has been the title sponsor of Ireland's premier classic since 2008 and this extension is a very welcome development for racing.
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Weekend is a three-day festival on the 26th, 27th and 28th June, is three days of top quality racing showcasing the best that Ireland has to offer. In addition to the racing, the Festival has something for everybody to enjoy. In a new development this year, there will be a Dubai Duty Free Village located in the new Curragh Garden. This will be an exciting initiative at the festival and provide the racegoer with a new entertainment venue close to the Parade Ring with food and beverage outlets and a full programme of entertainment over all 3 days. Dubai Duty Free will continue to sponsor the very popular Most Stylish Racegoer Competition with a 5 Star Dubai Holiday prize awarded to the winner.
Total prize money on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day on Saturday 27th June will increase from €2m in 2019 to €2.25m in 2020, and for 2021 the value of 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 is an incentive for owners to run their horses in the Curragh Classic. In addition to the existing races, the Dee Stakes, Chester Vase in Chester and the Prix De Lys in Longchamp have been added for this year.
Dubai Duty Free have also increased their support of stable staff, continuing to present a trophy to the groom of the winners of their sponsored races, together with cash prizes for the grooms of the horses judged to be best turned out.
Colm McLoughlin the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free sees the race as a major catalyst in strengthening the link between Ireland and Dubai who enjoy a very good tourism and business connections. “The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a major race on the World stage attracting widespread media coverage and is therefore in line with our global strategy of promoting Dubai and Dubai Duty Free. We have successfully sponsored the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for the past twelve years and we are delighted to renew our sponsorship for another two. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is now a major weekend festival of quality racing and entertainment and we are pleased to be part of it.
Pat Keogh Chief Executive The Curragh Racecourse 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. The 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was the highest rated race in the World and our objective is to ensure we attract the very best 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.”
For further information, please contact Evan Arkwright Racing Manager Curragh Racecourse Tel 045 441205 email [email protected] or Aileen O’Brien, O’Brien PR Tel 045 407017 email [email protected]
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day 2020 - Schedule of Races
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) €1.5m
Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Group 2) €150,000
GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) €130,000
Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap €125,000
Dubai Duty Free International Stakes (Group 3) €100,000
Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap €100,000
Dubai Duty Free Dash (Listed) €75,000
Dubai Duty Free Premier Handicap €75,000