IRELAND/UAE. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival takes place from 26 to 28 June at The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, offering the travel retailer with wide global reach through its horse-racing sponsorship.
The event highlight is the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, which takes place on Sunday, and was won last year by Aidan O’Brien-trained Lambourn.
Since becoming title sponsor in 2008, Dubai Duty Free has elevated the event to new heights, sponsoring six of the nine races on Derby Day and helping extend its reputation as one of the premier fixtures in the global flat racing calendar.
Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi: “Sports sponsorship has long been an important part of Dubai Duty Free’s marketing strategy, enabling the business to reach a global audience through the extensive international media exposure associated with world-class sporting events.”
He continued, “The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby continues to be part of the prestigious World Pool, further enhancing its international profile and attracting audiences from across the globe. Events such as this provide an exceptional platform for global television coverage, showcasing our brand to millions of viewers worldwide. We are looking forward to a fantastic day of racing and entertainment at The Curragh, one of the world’s most iconic racecourses and home to all five Irish Classics.”
The big race will feature the first, third and fourth-placed finishers from the Epsom Derby, setting the stage for a thrilling battle at The Curragh.
Beyond the racing, Derby Day promises a celebration of style, entertainment and hospitality. Irish television personality and style icon Vogue Williams will lead this year’s Dubai Duty Free Best Dressed Competition as Lead Fashion Judge. She will be joined by Alpana Cidambi, wife of Ramesh Cidambi and renowned fashion and lifestyle journalist Bairbre Power.
Courtesy of Dubai Duty Free the winner will receive return flights for two to Dubai, five nights’ luxury accommodation at the Creekside Hotel Dubai, together with €1,000 spending money at Dubai Duty Free.
Ramesh Cidambi will host 100 guests (including The Moodie Davitt Report) in the prestigious St. Leger Suite on Derby Day, underlining the company’s long-standing commitment to one of Ireland’s most celebrated sporting occasions.
The festival will receive extensive television coverage both at home and internationally, with live broadcasts on RTÉ and Racing TV. ✈
