THE Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, the highlight of the Irish flat racing season, kicks off next Friday, June 30th and culminates in the the 158th running of the Irish Derby, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, on Sunday, July 2nd.

So far this year the Curragh has seen an increase in attendance figures as the venue’s management have placed a focus on enhancing the customer experience and the fun aspect of the world class racing venue, which unveiled a new state of the art grandstand in 2019.

On the hospitality front, management have really dialled up on the food offering with a strong emphasis on sustainability and sourcing fresh Irish produce wherever possible.

Looking ahead to its biggest weekend of the year, the Curragh Racecourse and their catering partners Fitzers Catering will be at full capacity. The venue will welcome 1,500 hospitality clients from at least 50 companies coming from 12 individual countries who will be served by an estimated 25 chefs and 420 hospitality staff.

In order to achieve Climate Net Zero, Fitzers Catering are sourcing food that is both local and seasonal, shortening supply chains and minimising and offsetting their carbon footprint. They are making conscious changes to the ways food is sourced and served - from eliminating air-freight fruit and vegetables to introducing carbon labelling to help customers make sustainable food choices. The catering demands will be significant, and preparation has already started.

Dubai Duty Free, one of the world’s leading airport retailers, have been title sponsor of the Derby Festival since 2008 and, with the great support of their Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin, the event has gone from strength to strength.

The races attract huge international attention boasting extensive coverage across the globe which will be further boasted on Irish Derby day as for the first time it is part of the Tote World Pool, an initiative of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which bring together bettors from all over the world.

Other notable partners of the weekend include Yulong, Kildare Village, Gain Equine Nutrition, Paddy Power, Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes, Ornella Underwriting, DMG Media, ARM Holding, Airlie Stud, Barronstown Stud and The K Club.

Much emphasis has been placed this year on engaging with local businesses and this is very evident on the opening Friday evening with all seven races supported by restaurants and bars located in Kildare Town.

The Festival atmosphere will be amplified this year with a great musical line-up after racing each day. Top tribute rock band Qween will perform on Friday evening in Champions Hall while Saturday sees young national singing sensation and Kildare native Lea Heart take the stage in the new Festival Quarter. The festival will come to a close on Derby Day with a live performance from Spring Break playing ‘80s classics on the Sunday.