Old Stoics Racing Club founder former Sky Sports Racing presenter Robert Cooper (left), trainer Jonathan Portman and jockey Rob Hornby celebrate Sweet Reward’s success with Ramesh Cidambi, Salim Dahman and Noel Parial.

Dubai Duty Free celebrated its 30-year partnership with Newbury Racecourse by backing seven of the 14 races staged at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire over the two-day Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend.

On both days of the meeting (11-12 April, 2025) DDF Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi hosted a lunch for UK-based travel retail media, racing industry professionals, personalities and press.

TRBusiness was delighted to be in attendance on Friday 11 April for a thrilling day of racing action, warm hospitality and glorious sunshine.

During his opening welcome remarks, Cidambi paid a touching tribute to the company’s former CEO and Executive Vice Chairman, the late Colm McLoughlin, his wife Breeda, children and grandchildren who often visited Newbury Racecourse.

Cidambi also reported record sales for 2024 and provided an insight into continued success this year.

“I am glad to say that 2024 was a record sales year for Dubai Duty Free with turnover of US$2.164 billion,” he said.

“We have just announced our first quarter sales of US$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.”

Ramesh Cidambi, owner’s representative Arthur Dobell jockey Hollie Doyle and Noel Parial celebrate First Duty’s victory in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes as trainer Archie Watson receives his trophy from Salim Dahman.

Attendance at the popular race meeting hit a record high on day one of the fixture (5,197 visitors – up 116% on 2024) while total visitors for the weekend reached 12,131, a rise of 42% compared to the previous year.

At the Dubai Duty Free Marquee, racegoers could sample complimentary Arabic coffee and dates and win spot prizes including free entry into the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise Draws.

On the Saturday, the trials for the British Flat racing season’s first two Classics the 1000 and 2000 Guineas took place.

Horseracing enthusiasts will be keen to know that in the first of the Guineas trials a quality field of 15 three-year-old fillies with Classic aspirations took Centre stage in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes a seven furlongs contest won by Duty First trained locally to Newbury in Lambourn by Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle.

Davina Grace’s owners Eamon and Lesley Duggan receive their trophy from Ramesh Cidambi, Salim Dahman and Noel Parial after the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes.

Among the weekend’s highlights was the impressive form of Andrew Balding’s Kingsclere team. Two horses he received from other stables over the winter, Davina Grace and Jonquil won both the opening race on Saturday’s card the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes and the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes, the Classic trial for colts, contributing to a fabulous four-timer on the day for the local trainer.

The concluding race of the two days was the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap over 10 furlongs which again attracted a competitive field of 15 experienced runners.

Sweet Reward trained by Jonathan Portman prevailed carrying the colours of the Old Stoic Racing Club headed by the popular former Sky Sports Racing presenter Robert Cooper.

Left: Ramesh Cidambi and Salim Dahman with Dubai Duty Free Stakes winning jockey Hollie Doyle. Right: TRBusiness enjoying the racing action. 

Trophies for the Dubai Duty Free sponsored races were presented by Ramesh Cidambi accompanied by DDF’s Salim Dahman, Senior Manager Marketing and Marketing & Events Supervisor Noel Parial.

The company’s European horseracing sponsorship programme continues with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh in late June.

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