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Classic hopefuls to star at Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials in Newbury

Classic hopefuls will be on show at this weekend’s two-day Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials meeting at Newbury Racecourse beginning on Friday.

DDF will be backing seven of the meeting’s 14 races including Saturday’s Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes which looks set to see the seasonal return of 1,000 Guineas hope Joyeuse, half sister to Champion racehorse Frankel who also started his Classic preparations at the meeting three years ago.

The race was won last year by the Richard Hannon-trained Maureen who went on to finish sixth in the fillies’ Classic. Past winners include Muthabara (2008), Aqaarid (1995), Shadayid (1991) and Salsabil (1990) all owned by Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Racegoers attending both days of the meeting, which heralds the start of Newbury’s 19-day Flat season, will have the opportunity to sample traditional UAE hospitality in the Dubai Duty Free marquee where complimentary Arabic coffee and dates will be served. Visitors will also have the chance to win a ticket for entry into the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw and have a chance to win $1 million.

Dubai Duty Free senior executives led by Executive Vice Chairman, Colm McLoughlin, Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications and Sinead El Sibai, Vice President-Marketing will be in attendance to welcome guests from the UK racing and travel retail industries and to present trophies to the connections of the winners of each of the Dubai Duty Free sponsored races.