THE DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH DERBY 2010
       
 
Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The third Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse (Sunday 27th June) was a triumphant success and saw Europe’s top thoroughbreds battle it out for Derby glory and for a total prize fund of €1.25 million. The world famous race and festival is one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting and social events in the world. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was won by the winning connections of Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, Trainer Aidan O’Brien, jockey J.P. Murtagh on Cape Blanco.

Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, Mr. Colm McLoughlin presented the Perpetual Derby Trophy to the winning connections on the winning podium, much to the delight of the 24,194 thousand race goers at the famous Kildare race course.

The world number one duty free and multi award winning airport retailer, Dubai Duty Free was the title sponsor of the whole weekend. The company also sponsored a further four races on Derby Day including; The Dubai Duty Free Full of Surprises 2yo Maiden, The Dubai Duty Free Sapphire Stakes, The Dubai Duty Free Double Millionaire Premier Handicap, and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Handicap.

Speaking from the presentation podium after the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said, “It is a great honour for Dubai Duty Free to sponsor this premium race for the third year and we look forward to many more years of great racing and carnival festivities here at the Curragh Racecourse”. Dubai Duty Free has agreed a five year contract to sponsor the Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse which will run until 2012.

Dubai Duty Free is headed up by Galway native, Colm McLoughlin and is now the largest single duty free operation in the world and a winner of over 160 international business, travel and retail awards. Dubai Duty Free are bucking the global economic trend, the first quarter of 2010 signals the return of consumer confidence with the retail operation announcing sales of over US$307 million, this represents a 21% increase over the same period last year.

Colm McLoughlin was also made an honorary member of The Irish Turf Club on Derby Day in recognition of his immense contribution to Irish racing. Colm joins an elite number of well known individuals who were also bestowed this honour including; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum, The Aga Khan, Dr. Michael Smurfit and Sir. Anthony O’Reilly.

The event has been growing year on year and now includes a host of different sporting and social events even beyond the racing itself making it one of the most exciting weekend festivals to be held in Ireland over the summer. Ancillary events over the weekend include a golf classic and black tie ball at The Kildare Hotel and Country Club, affectionately known as, The K Club.