The Curragh Racecourse has been putting the final touches to preparation for this weekend’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival.
14 horses were declared yesterday for the race, worth €1.5 Million which will be the centrepiece of the Festival on Saturday.
They include Saxon Warrior, winner of the English 2,000 Guineas who heads Aidan O’Brien’s attempt to win the race for a remarkable 13th time.
All the stars of the sport will be present with Frankie Dettori confirmed to ride Knight to Behold for English trainer Harry Dunlop.
This will be the second running of the race during the redevelopment project at the course and visitors at the weekend will get a very visible sense of just how spectacular the new facilities will be when completed over the winter in time for the 2019 season.
“We are very pleased with progress and racegoers will see a major step up at the Dubai Duty free Derby meeting now that the first phase of the roof has gone onto the new grandstand,” said Derek McGrath speaking to Sport for Business yesterday.
“Our aim is to provide a high quality experience for racegoers to match the quality on the track and we are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors from across Ireland and around the world over the coming days.”
Tickets will be available to buy on the day this year with accompanied children under 18 being admitted for free. It will as ever be a day of high style and high excitement on the track.
Join us tomorrow morning for an interview with Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President Marketing of Dubai Duty Free on why this and the other sporting events in the companies sponsorship portfolio are so highly valued.
