UAE/IRELAND. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival takes place across this weekend at The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, offering the leading travel retailer with wide global exposure through its horse-racing sponsorship.

The main event is the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday. It marks the 160th running of the famous race. Last year’s edition saw Los Angeles, trained by Aidan O’Brien, storm to victory under jockey Ryan Moore.

Dubai Duty Free management and Los Angeles connections at the trophy presentation in 2024. Pictured are Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi (fifth left), the late, sadly missed former Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin (sixth left) and Senior Vice President of Marketing Sinead El Sibai (third right) along with UAE Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Mohammed Homod Ahmad Al Shamsi (fourth left) with the winning connections {Photo: Healy Racing Photo}

Since becoming title sponsor in 2008, Dubai Duty Free has elevated the event to new heights, sponsoring six of the eight races on Derby Day and helping extend its reputation as one of the premier fixtures in the global flat racing calendar.

Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi commented, “Sports sponsorship is part of Dubai Duty Free’s marketing strategy and that has been the case for many years, as it enables the business to reach a global audience via the media exposure that goes with the various sporting events the company is involved with. We are looking forward to a great day of racing and entertainment at The Curragh, one of the world’s most iconic racecourses and home to all five of the Irish Classics.”

Cidambi will host up to 100 guests in the St. Leger suite on Derby day. This year’s Derby Festival also features the Dubai Duty Free Best Dressed Competition, with celebrity chef and style icon Clodagh McKenna announced as Lead Fashion Judge. She will be assisted by Alpana Cidambi, wife of Ramesh Cidambi and by lifestyle and fashion journalist, Bairbre Power.

The winner of the Best Dressed Competition will receive a luxury prize package courtesy of Dubai Duty Free, including return flights for two to Dubai, five nights at the five-star Dubai Duty Free-owned Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, and €1,000 spending money at Dubai Duty Free. ✈