IRELAND/UAE, Dubai Duty Free’s familiar logo flew the flag for Dubai at the Curragh Racecourse near Dublin during the prestigious Darley Irish Oaks meeting last Sunday.
The event was attended by several prominent duty free executives as well as political dignitaries and show business figures.
Dubai Duty Free is a dedicated champion of Irish horse racing. Managing Director Colm McLoughlin, who attended the races with his wife Breeda (and celebrated his birthday), said the sponsorship at the Curragh Racecourse is an integral part of the retailer’s promotional activities. He said it offers a valuable platform from which Dubai Duty Free can promote Dubai and its world-class sporting, leisure and business facilities to the Irish community.
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| Left: Liz Skelly, daughter of one of duty free’s most famous sons of Ireland, Liam Skelly, was judged best-dressed lady in the Fashions on the Turf competition sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airlines and Jumeirah International | |
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Declan McDonough and his horse Regional Counsel, owned by Kevin Prendergast, won the €75,000 prize money at the Anglesey Stekes, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free. Right: The Skelly sisters, Liz and Joanne, surely two of Ireland’s most eligible young women, turned plenty of heads with their elegant outfits | |
Dubai Duty Free sponsored the Anglesey Stakes, which offered prize money of €75,000 and was won by Declan McDonough riding Regional Counsel and owned by Kevin Prendergast.
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| Left: An excited former Miss World Rosanna Davidson finally gets to meet GTR Sales founder David Spillane; Right: Lady in… white – singer and songwriter Chris De Burgh with daughter Rosanna Davidson | |
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Left: Dubai Duty Free promoted itself in style at the racetrack, driven by the tireless efforts of Ria Espenilla (left) and Christine Corpuz from the Dubai marketing team | |
Guests included former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland Albert Reynolds, singer Chris de Burgh and his wife Diane and his daughter and former Miss World Rosanna Davison. Ireland’s most successful international fashion designer Paul Costelloe, Ryder Cup project manager Mark MacDiarmid, designers Donald Brennan and Niall Tyrell and fashion guru Celia Homan Lee. Racing tips for the day were given by RTE sports commentator Colm Murray.
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| Left: David Spillane and a splendidly colourful Breeda McLoughlin; Right: Industry pioneers together – Bill Maloney, long-time General Manager of Shannon Freeport Shops and Colm McLoughlin, who was first employed in duty free on 1 June, 1969 as Special Assistant to Bill. | |
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Former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland Albert Reynolds talks to Colm McLoughlin and (right) with The Moodie Report Publisher Martin Moodie | |
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After the races Colm McLoughlin celebrated his birthday with his wife Breeda, colleagues and friends | |
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