Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby won by Santiago for Aidan O’Brien
THE 13th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse in Kildare, Ireland marked the 155th running of the world-famous race, and with a field of 14 racehorses it was 2/1 favourite Santiago, trained by Aidan O’Brien with Seamie Heffernan aboard at the final post.
Santiago and Seamie Heffernan win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for Aidan O’Brien
Dubai Duty Free Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin watched the highlight of the Irish flat racing season and one of the great race days in global horse racing from Dubai while the biggest race since 1977 was won from behind closed doors on Saturday, 27th June for the €750,000 purse.
“It was important for racing that this weekend festival went ahead and while we were not able to be at The Curragh in person this year, we enjoyed watching the spectacle on TV from Dubai, said Colm McLoughlin. “Congratulations also to Aidan O’Brien and the team at Coolmore for winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for a remarkable 14th time.”
The exciting race was picked up around the world on networks in the USA, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as 17 countries in the Middle East and in North Africa and across Europe while airing for the first time in Japan.
Colm McLoughlin, Dubai Duty Free Vice Chairman and CEO
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was the second race for Santiago to win since racing resumed, albeit behind closed doors in the early part of June.
“It is a great credit to everyone for getting racing back,” said Santiago’s trainer, Aidan O’Brien after the race was over. “There are an awful lot of people who depend on it, a lot of livelihoods. It is a strange time but times will change and owners will get back racing. It’s great that it is happening and a big credit to everyone that is making it happen.”
Dubai Duty Free is the world’s leading airport retailer and title sponsor for Irelands premier Classic since 2008.
