Irish Derby gets new sponsor

Racing : Dubai Duty Free have been announced as the new sponsors of the Irish Derby on a five-year contract

Racing: Dubai Duty Free have been announced as the new sponsors of the Irish Derby on a five-year contract. The deal will run from 2008-2012 with the new backers taking over from Budweiser.

The Irish Derby takes centre stage at the three-day Festival which will be held from the June 27th to 29th. The feature race will have 1.5million in prize money.

Managing director of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, said: "The Irish Derby is a major race meeting attracting widespread media coverage across Europe and beyond and is therefore in line with our global strategy of promoting Dubai and Dubai Duty Free.

"We are delighted to forge an even greater relationship with the Curragh and look forward to exciting times ahead, in particular to 2010 when the new Curragh complex is due to be completed."