Winners pose with the dignitaries at the end of the last edition of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

The sense of excitement is rising ahead of the 17th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival which will take place at The Curragh Racecourse in Co. Kildare (Ireland) from June 28th to June 30th.

The Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Irish Derby itself will run on June 30th and will see some of Europe’s top trainers, jockeys and horses battling it out on the famous Curragh track for derby glory.

Last year’s winner was the Aidan O’Brien trained, Auguste Rodin who was a very impressive winner. This year’s race is shaping up to be a fine contest with three of the first four horses home in the Epsom Derby in line to clash once again in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free will host guests in the St. Leger suite in the Curragh grandstand, the Aga Khan Stand on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day. The former COO of Dubai Duty Free took over the reins from Galway native, Colm McLoughlin who retired from the operation on the 30th May this year after 41 years at the helm.

“A great deal has happened in the past year,” said Ramesh Cidambi, “Dubai Duty Free celebrated its 40th Anniversary on Dec.20, 2023 and ended the year with record sales of US$2.16 billion. This remarkable achievement was due in no small part to the hard work of our 5,800 employees and I join our Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in thanking them for their continued commitment. Over the term of the sponsorship, Dubai Duty Free has worked closely with the Curragh team and have endeavored to grow this event into a festival with activities taking place both on and off the track.

An example of this is the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic at The K Club Friday and the company also sponsor the Best Dressed Competition on Derby Day with a prize of a trip to Dubai for the winner.

Dubliner Lisa Hogan, one of the stars of Prime Video’s hugely popular series ‘Clarkson’s Farm,’ is the lead fashion judge for the Best Dressed Competition which will take place on Sunday, 30th of June. Lisa will be joined in her search for the Best Dressed on the day by fashion writer Bairbre Power, with Alpana Cidambi and Breeda McLoughlin, representing title sponsor, Dubai Duty Free.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival has grown beyond recognition since the airport retailer took on the role of title sponsor in 2008. The centrepiece, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has become one of the premier races in the global calendar.

Worldwide viewership of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has been significantly enhanced in recent years as the full day of racing is now part of the Tote World Pool. This is an exciting initiative whereby global tote operators operate a single pool on several major international race meetings. In agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day is a permanent fixture as a Tote World Pool event. Terrestrial TV coverage of the race will include live broadcasts by RTE, Fan Duel and Green Channel broadcasting in Japan while digital and specialist racing platforms including Racing TV will extensively feature the full weekend.