Dubai: The countdown for the highly-anticipated 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival which takes place at Ireland’s premier international racecourse, The Curragh on June 30, has begun.
Dubai Duty Free have once again increased their commitment to the Derby and raised the prize money to €1.5 million (Dh6.4m), making it Ireland’s richest and most prestigious race. The winner will take home €850,000.
The 2017 edition was officially the highest rated three-year-old race in the world.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and owner of Dee Ex Bee, runner-up to Masar in the Epsom Derby earlier this month, is one of the leading contenders.
Although Dee Ex Bee does not hold an entry to the race, he is eligible to take his place in the blue riband event through the free entry offer to the winners and placed horses in a variety of races including the English Derby.
Commenting on Dubai duty Free’s 11-year sponsorship of the Derby, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a terrific event, it reflects our brand and is very much in line with our global marketing plan which encompasses sports sponsorship.
“This is our 11th year as title sponsor of what we believe is a complete festival that incorporates a golf tournament at the K Club, a charity ball at the K Club with proceeds raised for the Jack & Jill Foundation and Best Dressed Shop Front Competition in the neighbouring towns of Newbridge and Kildare, and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day itself.
“Since we took over as title sponsor in 2008 we have made a concerted effort to build on our association with the Derby and to engage with as many communities as possible both on and off the track.”
One of them is the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic is played at The K Club on Thursday, June 28. This four-person team event is played on the Palmer Ryder Cup Course, home of the 2006 Ryder Cup and the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
