Dubai Duty Free to sponsor Irish Derby

Dubai: Dubai Duty Free has agreed a five-year contract to sponsor the prestigious Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse from this year. The announcement outlining the details was made last week at a press conference at the K-Club.

The sponsorship will see Dubai Duty Free becoming title sponsors of the Irish Derby with The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby taking centrestage at the three day Irish Derby Festival, to be held from June 27-29.

The Irish Derby will celebrate it's 143rd birthday this year - having first run in 1866 when Selim finished first past the post.

Over the years, this exciting race has attracted the top three-year-old thoroughbreds from all over Europe. Some of the world's greatest thoroughbreds have been successful in this premier Irish Classic including Nijinsky, Galileo, Shergar and Dylan Thomas. The race, run over one mile and four furlongs, is one of the most valuable races in the world with prize money of euro 1.5 million.