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Jack Hobbs cruises home to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby |
IRELAND. John Gosden-trained Jack Hobbs captured the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday, as the horse racing classic marked its 150th anniversary at The Curragh course in County Kildare, Ireland.
The event, which is shown on TV to a worldwide audience of millions each year, provides a strong marketing platform for Dubai Duty Free and for Dubai as a destination.
In related news, Dubai Duty Free has extended its sponsorship of the race until 2017, at the same time increasing the prize fund to €1.5 million from next year. The agreement also gives Dubai Duty Free the option to continue its sponsorship for a further three years thereafter, up to 2020. Should Dubai Duty Free take up that option its commitment will result in a total prize fund of €7.5 million over the term of the sponsorship.
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Dubai Duty Free management present the trophy to the winning connections |
The world’s leading airport retailer at a single location sponsored six of the eight races on Saturday’s card including the flagship race, Jack Hobbs, which is owned by Godolphin & Partners and ridden by William Buick, won the Derby in commanding fashion in front of an attendance of 25,255 at the track.
Trainer, John Gosden said: “He is a wonderful horse, he fought all the way to the line. We are really thrilled with this result and are very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed and his support.” Winning jockey William Buick said: “He was the best horse in the race, it was my race to lose.”
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Jack Hobbs returns to the winning circle in triumph, watched by over 25,000 at The Curragh racecourse and by an audience of millions on television |
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Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin presented the winning connections with a new, specially commissioned trophy which was made for the 150th anniversary, in front of a packed grandstand.
Earlier McLoughlin and his team at Dubai Duty Free hosted almost 400 guests (including The Moodie Report) in their VIP private pavilion, situated just beside the winning post. The day commenced with a drinks reception followed by a lunch and full hospitality and entertainment, including a magician, a caricature artist, two jazz bands and a string quartet.
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Dubai Duty Free was inducted into The Curragh Hall of Fame; race course management present a personal tribute to Colm and Breeda McLoughlin |
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Well-known faces in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby VIP Pavilion included Oscar nominated film maker, Jim Sheridan, rugby players Ian Madigan and Robbie Henshaw, media personalities Anne Doyle and Mary Kennedy, model agency boss Celia Holman Lee and retired champion jockey Lester Piggott.
Colm McLoughlin said: “This is our eighth year sponsoring the Irish Derby. Every year it gets bigger and better. This has been an even more exciting year as it marks the 150th running of this prestigious race. The title sponsorship of the Irish Derby is very important for us and is in line with our global strategy of high profile sports sponsorships.”
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Host Colm McLoughlin (right) in the Dubai Duty Free Pavilion with DAA Chief Executive Kevin Toland (left) and The Moodie Report Chairman Martin Moodie |
Dubai Duty Free was also inducted into the Curragh Racecourse Hall of Fame on the day. The induction ceremony took place in the Parade Ring and Dubai Duty Free now joins a prestigious roll of honour at the course.
Limerick woman Lorraine O’Sullivan won the title of the Dubai Duty Free Most Stylish Lady. She was chosen as the overall winner by a judging panel led by Breeda McLoughlin, wife of Colm McLoughlin, television presenter and media personality Amanda Byram, Image Magazine’s Editor in Chief Melanie Morris and fashion editor of the Irish Independent Bairbre Power.
Ms O’Sullivan won the top prize of a holiday to Dubai for two, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free. It includes five nights in Dubai Duty Free’s own five-star hotel, The Jumeirah Creekside, return flights and €1,000 to spend at Dubai Duty Free. The prize also included a statement piece of diamond jewellery from Boodles valued at €5,000 and an overnight stay at The Marker Hotel in Dublin. The total prize fund was worth €20,000.
The full festival included several ancillary events which ran on and off the track including the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic on Thursday 26 June at the Palmer Ryder Cup course at The K Club, and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Ball, held at The K Club on the eve of the derby, which was in aid of The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.
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Dubai Duty Free President George Horan (right) with DAA CEO Kevin Toland and The Moodie Report President Dermot Davitt (left) |
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Dermot and Michelle Davitt with David and Isabelle Spillane |
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Wind-swept: Isabelle Spillane, Jane Grant, Michelle Davitt, Dermot Davitt and David Spillane brave the elements to get a view of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby finish |
