Race season kicks off with Dubai Duty Free
Jockey Oisin Murphy winning last year's Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes on Alcohol Free
The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend starts on April 16 at Newbury Racecourse in the UK with three contests on the opening day.
The day’s program opens with the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes which could see the return of course and distance winner, Ilaraab, carrying the colors of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The William Haggas-trained horse provided a thrilling finish to the 2020 renewal of the Dubai Duty Free Handicap at the Dubai Duty Free International weekend with a neck victory over Royal Marine before triumphing over Raymond Tusk, who is also likely to feature in Saturday’s contest, in York’s Ebor Handicap.
Ilaraab completed his season back at Newbury with victory in the Group 3 St. Simon Stakes last October.
Classic credentials will be on show when the fillies take center stage in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, a recognized trial for the 1,000 Guineas and the second of seven races across the two-day fixture backed by the world’s leading airport retailer.
For the first time the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend over the Easter holiday period with the card traditionally run on Friday switched to become the second day of the meeting providing an opportunity for families to enjoy themed activities.
Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are delighted to be returning to Newbury Racecourse after an absence of two-and-a-half years enforced by Covid-19 travel restrictions, and to be supporting the team at Newbury in staging this event over the Easter holiday weekend as a one-off.
“We hope it will provide an opportunity for families to enjoy a combination of racing and fun activities and perhaps introduce some new faces to the racecourse.”
Racegoers on both days will be able to enjoy complimentary Arabic coffee and dates in the Dubai Duty Free Marquee where there will also be the chance to win prizes, including free entry into the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws.
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