Social Pics: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

Chanelle McCoy, wife of champion jockey AP McCoy led the Best Dressed Lady Competition which was sponsored by Dubai Duty-Free and she was ably assisted by Breeda McLoughlin, Bairbre Power of the Irish Independent, Melanie Morris of IMAGE Magazine and Susie Hopkins Burke of The K Club. Suzanne McGarry from Sligo was declared the winner and won a five-star holiday to Dubai with flights and accommodation at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and €1,000 worth of spending money from the airport retailer. She also won a luxurious break away at the Five AA Red Star, K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare.

Famous faces spotted in the pavilion included Anne Doyle, Gay Byrne, Kathleen Watkins, Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan, Alan Hughes, Annette Rocca, Jane Given and 2FM DJ, Keith Walsh. Speaking at the press conference following the big race, Colm McLoughlin said, ?I’m very happy that Dubai Duty-Free is still involved at the Curragh. I think the temporary facilities are fantastic, the people are fantastic, the racing was fantastic and the weather? was almost fantastic! It was a great race that was tight right up until they went through the winning post and it just beat the rain.

?We are happy to continue our association with this magnificent racecourse and today once again proved why it is certainly up there with the very best tracks in the world. The standard of horses that were brought to this year’s Dubai Duty-Free Irish Derby Festival is a testament to how highly regarded the weekend is. It was Aidan O’Brien’s third winner on the day as Capri followed up earlier wins for Asking in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Handicap, while US Navy Flag opened began the day’s proceedings on a promising note by landing victory in the opening race, the Dubai Duty Free Find a Surprise EBF Maiden, in impressive fashion.

Speaking after Capri’s win in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Aidan O’Brien said, ?I think we’re just so lucky to have this track in Ireland and at this time of the year the three-year- olds get sorted in Epsom to a point and when you want to get the real proper mile and a half horse there’s no track in the world that can do that like the Curragh.? ?There’s real pace on it, there’s nowhere to hide. Seamus rode Capri in Epsom and he was very happy with him and he was looking forward to coming here with him. It’s the ultimate test over a mile and a half for a three-year- old colt. Seamus gave him a lovely ride. He had a lovely position throughout and he timed his run perfectly and he got the mile and a half really well.?

The Dubai Duty-Free Irish Derby was the culmination of the wonderful festival for the airport retailer who ran various ancillary activities throughout the weekend including a golf classic and black tie charity ball at The K Club and a best-dressed window competition for businesses in the neighbouring towns of Newbridge and Kildare.