Dubai Duty Free (DDF) will celebrate 10-years of sponsoring Ireland’s most historic flat race, the Irish Derby, at the Curragh Racecourse near Newbridge in County Kildare on Saturday.
Over the past decade, DDF have been committed to improving the event, and last year the prize money was increased from €1.25 million (Dh5.1 million) to €1.5 million (Dh6.1 million).
As well as the racing, DDF also organise a Best Dressed Shop Front competition in surrounding towns, a Most Stylish Lady award on the day of the races, a golf tournament, and a charity ball, which has raised over €230,000 for the Jack and Jill Foundation over the past three years.
“The 10 years that we have been sponsoring the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby have been wonderful for Dubai Duty Free and very successful for our business,” said DDF executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer Colm McLoughlin.
“It is great to be involved with a race of this prestige for such a long period of time, and we have seen it go from strength to strength each year. The new development at the Curragh will be fantastic and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished project in 2019,” said McLoughlin in reference to planned improvements to the racecourse.
