Newbury landmark for Dubai Duty Free

Dubai Duty Free, the world’s leading airport retailer and title sponsor of the meeting, sponsors seven of the 14 races, offering over £200,000 in prize-money.

DDF executive vice chairman Colm McLoughlin; senior vice president-corporate communications Salah Tahlak; and vice president-marketing Sinead El Sibai, presenting the trophies to Charles Lavington, William Buick and trainer John Gosden following their victory for Western Hymn in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Conditions Stakes in 2014. — Supplied photo

Dubai: Dubai Duty Free’s sporting portfolio turns to horseracing in the UK for the two-day Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Meeting at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire, England on Friday and Saturday.  The meeting also sees Dubai Duty Free celebrate 20 years of sponsorship at Newbury.

An early season gem in the flat racing calendar, it is a great source of winners for the year ahead. Last year saw the mighty Kingman defeat subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder, as well as top-class individuals Western Hymn, J Wonder and Eagle Top making their seasonal reappearances.

Dubai Duty Free, the world’s leading airport retailer and title sponsor of the meeting, sponsors seven of the 14 races, offering over £200,000 in prize-money. 

New Providence, trained in Newmarket by Hugo Palmer, looks set to contest the Dubai Duty Free Stakes ahead of a crack at the 1,000 Guineas in May. The filly, who won three of her six starts last season including a Group 3 at Salisbury in September, looks to follow the same path Lahan, who used the race as a stepping stone ahead of Classic glory in 2000.

Commenting on the operation’s two decades of association with Newbury, Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free said:  “This year’s running of the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes marks a significant milestone in our relationship with Newbury and with British racing, although Dubai’s association with the race formally known as the Fred Darling Stakes pre-dates our entry into horseracing sponsorship in the UK. 

During the past 20 years we have seen dramatic growth in our own business and we have also been pleased to be able to watch Newbury Racecourse develop into the multi-facetted operation it is now.”

As well as top-class action on track, spectators will have the chance to sample Dubai’s hospitality at the event, with complimentary dates and traditional Arabic coffee in the Dubai Duty Free Marquee adjacent to the parade ring. Visitors can also win free entry into the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise and Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draws. Dubai Duty Free senior executives led by executive vice chairman, Colm McLoughlin; senior vice president-corporate communications Salah Tahlak; and vice president-marketing Sinead El Sibai, will be in attendance to present trophies to the connections of the winners.