Dubai Duty Free's 30-year love affair with Newbury Racecourse hits new heights
Hometown winners, Guineas hopes, and vibrant grandstands — Newbury Racecourse was buzzing last weekend as Dubai Duty Free celebrated 30 years of partnership in spectacular style.
Over two days of thrilling action, the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend delivered everything a racegoer could want: rising stars, local success stories, record-breaking crowds, and even a glimpse at potential Classic champions in the making.
Racegoers weren't the only ones enjoying the weekend. Dubai Duty Free's Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, hosted media and racing professionals across both days, delivering a heartfelt tribute to the company's late CEO Colm McLoughlin, whose family has enjoyed many cherished moments at Newbury over the years.
Cidambi also shared some standout figures: 'I am glad to say that 2024 was a record sales year for Dubai Duty Free with turnover of $2.164 billion. We have just announced our first quarter sales of $565 million, so things are going well! It is thanks to the success of our retail business that we are able to support sponsorships such as this.'
Saturday's card featured the eagerly anticipated trials for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas — and it didn't disappoint.
The first Classic trial saw 15 talented fillies line up in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes. It was Duty First who stole the spotlight, the locally-trained runner from Archie Watson's Lambourn yard sweeping home under Hollie Doyle.
Though Watson's sights were originally set on the Italian Guineas, the win has inspired loftier ambitions. Duty First is now being considered for a Newmarket run — though she'll need to be supplemented. Either way, she's earned her shot.
Meanwhile, trainer Andrew Balding had the kind of day most can only dream of — notching an incredible four wins including both the Group 3s.
Two of his standout runners — Davina Grace and Jonquil — had only recently joined his team from now-retired trainers Rae Guest and Sir Michael Stoute. But their debut performances were nothing short of emphatic.
Davina Grace, the only mare in her race and still carrying her winter coat, battled bravely to land the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes.
'She's bound to improve,' Balding said, after Davina Grace edged out outsider Tabletalk in a tight finish, with stablemate Bellum Justice left trailing.
Then came Jonquil — a son of none other than the legendary Frankel — who powered home in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes, setting himself up as one to watch for the 2000 Guineas.
Further down the card, Balding's purple patch continued as Point of Contact made a remarkable return to action after a layoff dating back to July 2024. Injured at Newbury last summer, he came back stronger to claim the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Maiden, denying William Haggas's fancied Crown of Oaks.
The weekend concluded with the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap, another fiercely competitive affair over ten furlongs. This time it was Sweet Reward, trained by Jonathan Portman, who took the spoils, sporting the silks of the Old Stoic Racing Club — a syndicate led by the much-loved former Sky Sports Racing presenter, Robert Cooper.
Off the track, the celebration continued in the Dubai Duty Free Marquee, which drew larger-than-usual crowds with its welcoming hospitality — from complimentary Arabic coffee and dates to spot prize giveaways, including entries into Dubai Duty Free's luxury prize draws.
Next stop for Dubai Duty Free? The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh in June — but for now, the cheers from Newbury still echo, celebrating a partnership 30 years strong and showing no signs of slowing down.
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