DDF Spring Trials returns to Newbury Racecourse

DUBAI: The Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Spring Trials weekend returns to Newbury Racecourse on Friday and Sunday, when seven of the meeting’s 14 scheduled races are sponsored by the leading airport retailer including two Group 3 contests, the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes and the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, a recognised fillies’ Classic trial.

The meeting has again atracted the support of many of the sport’s leading owners with The Queen, Shadwell Estate Company, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Godolphin all represented among the entries for Dubai Duty Free sponsored races.

Traditionally staged over two consecutive days, the second day of the meeting has been delayed by 24 hours as a mark of respect for The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh whose funeral takes place in Windsor on Saturday aternoon.

Colm Mcloughlin Executive Vice President & CEO of Dubai Duty Free said, “We are fully supportive of the Newbury Executive’s decision to transfer Saturday’s racing to Sunday and offer our sincere condolences to The Queen and the British Royal family at this very sad time.” Horse racing in the UK continues behind closed doors until 17 May at the earliest, denying the Dubai Duty Free Senior Management Team the opportunity to atend for only the second time in the company’s 26-year history of sponsorship at the Berkshire course.

“We were sad not to be able to atend the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend last September due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, but once again we will watching from Dubai and wish all owners and trainers success with their horses at this year’s renewal of the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Meeting,” added Mr Mcloughlin.

Newbury Racecourse Chief Executive Julian Thick said, “The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend heralds the start another exciting season of Flat racing at Newbury and we are very grateful to Dubai Duty Free for their continued support.

“It’s disappointing not to be able welcome the Dubai Duty Free team to Newbury this time, but through our broadcast partners ITV and Racingtv, we hope they will be able to enjoy a spectacular weekend of racing.” Meanwhile, Bivouac, the best southern hemisphere son of the world’s best juvenile sire Exceed And Excel, retires from a successful racing career a ‘happy and sound horse’, celebrating a career which spanned three seasons. He accumulated seven Stakes victories, including three G1s and was named World Champion Sprinter of 2020 plus crowned Champion three-year-old.