Dubai Duty Free to sponsor Irish Derby

The announcement outlining the details of the new sponsor was made on 15th April at a press conference at the K-Club in Co. Kildare. The sponsorship will see the award winning airport retailer becoming the title sponsor of the Irish Derby with The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby taking centre state at the three day Irish Derby Festival which will be held from the 27th to 29th of June. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby will take place on Sunday 29th of June.

The Irish Derby will celebrate its 143rd birthday this year having first run in 1866 when Selim finished first past the post. Over the years, this exciting race has attracted the top three year old thoroughbreds from all over Europe. Some of the world's greatest thoroughbreds have been successful in this premier Irish Classic including Nijinsky, Galileo, Shergar and Dylan Thomas. The race, which is run over one mile and four furlongs, is one of the most valuable races in the world with prize money of €1.5m. Since its inception there has only ever been three sponsors of the Irish Derby, this in itself helps to illustrate the significance of the recent sponsorship announcement with Dubai Duty Free.

Speaking about the five year sponsorship of the Irish Derby, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Irishman, Colm McLoughlin said, "The Irish Derby is a major race meeting attracting widespread media coverage across Europe and beyond and is therefore in line with our global strategy of promoting Dubai and Dubai Duty Free. Ireland is becoming an increasingly important market for Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in terms of travel and business and we believe that the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby will be a flagship event that will heighten interest further". Colm concluded, "We are delighted to forge an even greater relationship with The Curragh and look forward to exciting times ahead, in particular to 2010 when the new Curragh complex is due to be completed."

A winner of various industry and media accolades, including the prestigious Frontier Award for 'Airport Retailer of the Year' 2007, the Dubai Duty Free operation is renowned for its innovative approach to both retailing and marketing. With a turnover of $1bn forecast for 2008, Dubai Duty Free ranks alongside Heathrow and Seoul Incheon Airport in terms of duty free sales. The partnership will further assist Dubai Duty Free to promote Dubai, the airport and the Dubai Duty Free operation as well as target a huge audience of some 30,000 race-goers in addition to the millions of people who enjoy the extensive international coverage of the race.

Dubai Duty Free will contribute hugely as part of its multi-million Euro deal given that the global mega brand plans to invest heavily in marketing and promotion of the event. The alliance between Dubai Duty Free and the Curragh Racecourse is a truly beneficial one, especially given the ever strengthening links between Ireland and Dubai year on year. Dubai is fast becoming a major focus for Irish business and tourism alike and is an outstanding destination for sports, commerce, leisure and retail.

The Curragh Racecourse is looking forward to an even bigger and better Irish Derby Festival this year as Racecourse Chairman John McStay outlines, "The Irish Derby is a flagship race for our racing industry. For many years it has consistently been among the highest rated three-year-old races in the world. We are determined to keep the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby to the forefront of major international races and for that reason we welcome our new sponsorship partner. The business philosophy of Dubai Duty Free mirrors our ambitions for the racecourse and the race. I know that this will be a very successful partnership."

Not only is the Dubai Duty Free Derby deal beneficial for The Curragh Racecourse, it is good news all round for the Irish racing industry as a whole as Denis Brosnan Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland explains, "The Irish Derby is Ireland's premier flat race. In recent years it has been the highest rated Derby in Europe. I would like to congratulate the Curragh Racecourse and the Turf Club for securing such a prestigious partner as Dubai Duty Free for our most important flat race. Horse Racing Ireland looks forward to working with both parties to ensure that the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby continues to showcase Irish racing to the widest global audience."

Over the years, the Irish Derby has become synonymous with the world's best race horses, glamour, fashion and first class entertainment. Dubai Duty Free's sponsorship of the Irish Derby will take the prestige of this legendry racing festival to a whole new level.