The Curragh: A 20,000-plus crowd gathered at The Curragh Racecourse for the fourth Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby in Co Kildare (Ireland) and there was great excitement among the crowd who came in their droves to see if the Queen's Horse, Carlton House, could take on the might of Aidan O'Brien and Ballydoyle in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
Dubai Duty Free sponsored almost all of the races on the card for the day including the iconic Irish Derby on Sunday.
Clear winner
However, it proved not to be Carlton House's day, despite huge speculation that he would be a clear winner and it was Epsom runner-up Treasure Beach who went one place better to give O'Brien his ninth victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh, with the Queen's horse, Carlton House finishing fourth.
O'Brien completed a 1-2-3 in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for a fourth time, while it was a first Irish Derby win for jockey Colm O'Donoghue.
Over 250 people were entertained in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Pavilion which was hosted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin and his wife Breeda.
Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, followed by a sumptuous lunch and afternoon tea. Entertainment in the suite included a string quartet and music by Kildare singer, Lorraine Nolan who was accompanied by an Irish Folk band called, Coole.
Later in the day guests were treated to more music by musician Pud Barrett and friends and some up close magic as they relaxed and chatted in the glamorous suite. Guests on the day included UAE Ambassador to Ireland Khalid Nasser Lootah, former Irish Taoiseach, Dick Spring, television personalities, Ann Doyle of RTE and Alan Hughes of Celebrity Salon fame, rugby commentators Brent Pope and Tom McGurk and Ms. Ireland Ros Purcell.
Speaking after the race, McLoughlin said: "We are delighted with our association with the Curragh, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has grown."
