The 2025 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby takes place this weekend with the best of Irish racing on the track, TV coverage on TG4 and RTÉ, and a host of high-end partnership activations taking place.
This is the 160th running of the race, one that was won by my great-grandfather in its 50th running in 1915.
In today’s Sport for Business Bulletin, we have a competition for two of our Members to win two tickets each to attend one of the days of racing this weekend.
The big race itself has the added attraction of Lambourn, the winner from the Epsom Derby bidding to add to his lustre and value, and he is the favourite to do so, ahead of the second and third from Epsom, Tennessee Stud and Lazy Griff.
Long-standing title sponsor Dubai Duty Free, now in its 17th year of backing the prestigious event, leads a refreshed and broadened portfolio of partners that highlights the Derby’s commercial appeal and cultural reach.
Among the most notable developments this year are a series of new sponsorships that enhance the experience across all three days of the festival.
O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey and Diageo Luxury Spirits will feature prominently on Friday, with dedicated race sponsorships aligning their premium offerings with the atmosphere of the Festival.
The Derby’s drinks and hospitality programme continues to reflect its luxury positioning, with Moët & Chandon as the exclusive Champagne partner, Whispering Angel for rosé, Bottega for prosecco, and Bibendum supplying wines.
Diageo, already a key player, maintains exclusive draught rights with Guinness, Carlsberg, and Rockshore on tap throughout the weekend.
Saturday sees a deepening of local engagement and premium brand activation.
The Keadeen Hotel joins the roster as a new race sponsor, while property specialists Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes elevate their support to back the Ladies Derby. This race is now the most valuable race for female jockeys in Europe.
Meanwhile, Paddy Power makes its mark by sponsoring the featured Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes for the first time.
Sunday’s showpiece Dubai Duty Free Derby Day welcomes another new addition with Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort coming on board as a new sponsor for 2025.
Rounding out the commercial landscape, Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz returns as the official car partner of the weekend, adding an automotive touch of class to the festivities.
The style stakes are high throughout the weekend with The K Club’s Most Stylish Racegoer, judged by comedy creator, Kayleigh Trappe, taking place on Saturday 28 th June and celebrity chef and style icon Clodagh McKenna has been named Lead Fashion Judge for the coveted Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Best Dressed Competition, taking place on Sunday, 29th June.
Business of Golf Event
Sport for Business is hosting our second annual Business of Golf event at Carton House on the morning of Tuesday, July 1st, followed by an exclusive golf experience at the Golf Ireland Academy.
We will gather at the prestigious Carton House, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, from 10 AM with a series of conversations taking place from 1030 to 1230 and then a walk around to the Academy for a session in the bays and on the green with Golf Ireland’s world-leading coaches.
The Latest Sport for Business Podcasts
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Check out more of our Sport for Business coverage of Horse Racing
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Sport for Business is in planning for major events bringing together leaders in Irish Sport and Business across a range of subjects in the second half of the year.
On Thursday, August 29th we will host a special event looking at Future Proofing Irish Sport including the use of AI in sport.
Register your interest in joining us for this event above
Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
Horse Racing Ireland and the Curragh Racecourse, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.
This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Get the full benefit of a Sport for Business membership by joining us at one of our upcoming events, where sporting and business leadership come together.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
