UK. The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend (17-18 April) at Newbury Racecourse delivered a robust start to the British flat racing season.
The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan was on location for day two of the fixture, which welcomed increased race-day attendance and competitive field sizes with more than 100 horses engaged across Saturday’s seven races alone.
Dubai Duty Free Senior Manager Marketing Salim Dahman represented the retailer at the event. Dahman presented trophies to winning connections and hosted industry guests across racing, travel retail and media sectors.
The opening £95,000 (US$128,500) Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, One Thousand Guineas Trial, was run over seven furlongs and attracted a field of 15 fillies.
Trainer Jack Channon secured a double across the weekend as Sukanya went from last to first at the One Thousand Guineas Trial with jockey David Probert. Channon later added the £20,000 (US$27,000) Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap to his wins, which was the last race of the day.
North Yorkshire-based trainer Karl Burke also enjoyed a memorable weekend, recording a double that included success in the Group 3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes, where his horse Alparslan delivered a winning performance.
Burke’s second victory came in the £95,000 Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, where Convergent produced a strong performance with jockey Clifford Lee.
Trainer Archie Watson’s Exclusive Code won the £20,000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Maiden Stakes with jockey James Doyle.
Stellar Sunrise and jockey James Doyle produced a decisive performance at the £32,500 (US$44,000) Dubai Duty Free Full of Surprises Handicap; while trainer Ralph Beckett’s Blessed Voyager and jockey Hector Crouch succeeded in the £12,500 (US$17,000) Dubai Duty Free EBF Maiden Stakes.
Beyond the racing, the retailer hosted an on-site activation at the Dubai Duty Free Marquee, which featured interactive prize experiences and promotional giveaways, including entries into the Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws. The prizes also included free tickets to future Newbury meetings.
The Newbury meeting forms part of Dubai Duty Free’s broader international horseracing sponsorship portfolio. The retailer will next be hosting the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh in June, followed by the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot in August. ✈
