Dubai Duty Free International Weekend attracts high-profile supplementary entries
2023 winning connections of Array in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes with Dubai Duty Free officials
Leading airport retailer Dubai Duty Free returns to Newbury Racecourse as title sponsor of the Berkshire track’s most prestigious fixture of the Autumn season, the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend which begins on Friday, September 20.
Nine of the 14 scheduled races at the two-day meeting will carry the Dubai Duty Free brand including Saturday’s feature the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes which promises to be a strong renewal having attracted two high-profile supplementary entries.
Wathnan Racing’s unbeaten juvenile, Defence Minister, trained by Hamad Al Jehani and Sylvester Kirk’s Brian, who finished a strong third in last month’s Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park are set to join the line-up for the £100,000 (approximately US$31,950) showpiece following the publication earlier this week of 19 confirmations for the race.
Last year’s winner, Array, provided a poignant first success for local trainer Andrew Balding in the race named after the1971 Derby, Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix De l’Arc De Triomphe winner, Mill Reef, trained at Park House by his father Ian. Balding will be bidding for a second victory this year with the favorite Cool Hoof Luke, winner of the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes at York last month.
The Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes is supported on Saturday’s card by the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy, the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup, the Dubai Duty Free Handicap – both Class 2 contests – and the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap which combine to add a further £255,000 (approximately US$336,473) to the day’s prize money.
Ramesh Cidambi, Dubai Duty Free’s Managing Director, said, “We are delighted that our continued support has helped Newbury racecourse to significantly increase their prize money offer across the season and in particular at the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend.
“We look forward to another two days of high-quality racing and wish every success to connections with runners at the meeting.”
Racegoers attending the two-day fixture will have the opportunity to sample complimentary Arabic coffee and dates in the Dubai Duty Free Marquee where there will also be the chance to win on the spot prizes including free entry into the Dubai Duty Free Millenium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws.
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