IRELAND. Aidan O’Brien-trained Auguste Rodin claimed a historic double by winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday in front of a bumper crowd at The Curragh racecourse in County Kildare. The three-year-old, ridden by Ryan Moore, had already won the Epsom Derby – capturing the Irish equivalent meant Auguste Rodin was the first horse to win both races since Harzand in 2016. It was also Aidan O’Brien’s 100th Classic win.
The 16th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival took place over three days from 30 June to 2 July, offering the world’s leading travel retailer at a single location high-profile exposure through its horse racing sponsorship.
The Moodie Davitt Report attended the festival on Sunday alongside many colleagues, business partners and friends of Dubai Duty Free from around the industry.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin welcomed guests to the Aga Khan stand at The Curragh, hailing the partnership with the team that runs the racecourse, and highlighting the strong performance of Dubai Duty Free this year with the company on track to exceed its previous record sales of US$2.1 billion.
Also, over the weekend, the Dubai Duty Free team visited the Barretstown Children’s Foundation, where they saw the great work the children’s charity does for seriously sick children and their families. Colm McLoughlin said: “As part of our Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby activations, we have supported several Irish and local charities over the years, and this year, we are delighted to support the equine programme at The Barretstown Children’s Foundation, which runs camps where seriously ill children can enjoy themselves and have fun. Over 1,000 ‘campers’ will now enjoy the equine programme that we have supported this year.”
Worldwide viewership of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was enhanced this year as the main day of racing on Sunday was part of the Tote World Pool for the first time. Tote World Pool is an initiative introduced in 2019 whereby global tote betting operators operate a single pool on several major international race meetings. Terrestrial TV coverage of the race included live broadcasts by both RTE and ITV while digital and specialist racing platforms including Racing TV featured the weekend.
The day concluded with a memorable surprise tribute to McLoughlin, arranged by his senior team led by Senior Vice President Marketing Sinead el Sibai. This took place at The K Club, where around 50 friends and family gathered to salute McLoughlin as he nears his 80th birthday later this month.
A visibly moved McLoughlin thanked those who attended for their camaraderie and friendship, while a succession of speakers hailed McLoughlin’s leadership, values and commitment to the company and the wider duty free industry.
Speakers included John Sutcliffe, former colleague at Dubai Duty Free and ex-ARI Middle East Managing Director; Dubai Duty Free join COO Salah Tahlak; Sinead el Sibai; Phelim McLoughlin (brother of Colm); Dubai Duty Free golf ambassador Des Smyth; Augustine Fox (brother of Breeda McLoughlin) and The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt.
More to follow. ✈
