Dubai Duty Free will continue their sponsorship of the G1 Irish Derby, as they renewed their partnership with the Curragh, the duo announced on Tuesday. In addition, the prize-money for the Irish Classic will increase from€1 million to €1.25 million in 2023, and five additional races will be sponsored by the airport retailer. For the first time since 2011, the Irish Derby will take place on a Sunday, with 2023's date set to be July 2. The full eight-race card will also become a permanent part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Tote World Pool for the first time next year. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Weekend will take place from June 30-July 2. An evening meeting will be conducted on Friday, and Saturday's Ladies Day will feature the G1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly S. and the Kildare Village Ladies Derby.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin said, “Our title sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is in line with our global strategy of promoting both our own duty-free brand and the city of Dubai itself. We have successfully sponsored the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for the past 15 years and we are happy to extend our sponsorship, with an increase in prize-money, and look forward to working with the Curragh to grow this event even further.”
Curragh CEO, Brian Kavanagh said, “We are delighted to announce this extension to the Derby sponsorship and the increase in prize-money for the Derby itself. We are also very pleased that Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day has been selected as a Tote World Pool event and excited about the switch back to a Sunday which will allow the three-day Festival to build up to its feature race.”
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