Readers’ competition results: Capricious Capri causes an upset in Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

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Martin Moodie
Martin Moodie is the Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report.
The Moodie Tipster: Put out to pasture following “betting breakdown”

Well, The Moodie Tipster did pick three of the four first horses in Saturday’s thrilling Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, but he didn’t pick the one that  really mattered – the winner.

Like all the entrants in our readers’ competition in association with Dubai Duty Free to pick the result of the big race, The Moodie Tipster was blind-sided by the capricious Capri, who made a mockery of previous form by storming home to narrowly defeat Cracksman (The Moodie Tipster’s choice) and Epsom Derby winner Wings of Eagle (correctly picked by The Moodie Tipster to finish third).

The final result looked like this:

  1. Capri
  2. Cracksman
  3. Wings of Eagles
  4. Waldgeist

Whoops! The Moodie Tipster might have got that ever so slightly wrong.

Capri may have seemed a no-hoper to our resident tipster but no fewer than four of our contestants placed him in the top four, a sterling effort, especially as each of them also named the other three horses to finish in the top places.

Veteran industry executive and journalist John Gallagher picked Waldgeist (1), Cracksman (2), Wings of Eagles (3) and Capri (4).

The nose have it: Capri gets up on the line to beat Cracksman and the galliant favourite Wings of Eagles (Photo: Healy Racing)
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free Colm McLoughlin presents the trophy for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby to the winning connections of Capri, owner John Magnier, trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Seamie Heffernan

Stephanie Collier (Kekepania), Marketing Manager, Strategic Accounts & Mexico for Maui Jim, opted for Wings of Eagles to win, followed by Cracksman, Waldgeist and Capri. That same combination was chosen by Sebastien Guesney of Pernod-Ricard.

Great predictions all, but this year’s winner – and, still champion of the world as they say in boxing – is our 2016 victor, David Spillane of Global Travel Retail Sales, who went for:

  1. Cracksman
  2. Waldgeist
  3. Capri
  4. Wings of Eagle

On the strength of picking Capri in the highest finishing place and also being closest to choosing the winner, David (who was at the event on Saturday) retains his title as travel retail’s foremost tipster, ahead of our very own Moodie Tipster who, on vet’s orders, has been put back out to pasture for another year to help him recover from a “betting breakdown”.

(Above) Dermot Davitt, David Spillane and Isobel Spillane gaze hopefully into the distance to check that their horses are still running; (Below) David is all smiles as his Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby choices all finish prominently.
Martin Moodie with two of the top people in our industry, Colm McLoughlin and long-time communications specialist Jane Grant, both as usual in top form
Best Dressed Lady Suzanne McGarry (centre) of Co. Sligo with Breeda McLoughlin of Dubai Duty Free & Chanelle McCoy (left) pictured at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh racecourse Co Kildare on the 1st of July. Personally I think the lady on the right was a clear-cut winner. (Photo: Anthony Woods)

David duly wins a ticket in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire prize draw, offering him the chance to become a US Dollar millionaire in coming weeks. Though chances are with his ability to pick horse racing results, he may be that already.

Thanks to all who entered.

Sunil and Shikha Tuli with Martin Moodie and Jane Grant
Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi and Senior Vice President Marketing Sinead el Sibai with King Power Group (HK) Managing Director Duty Free and Travel Retail Sunil Tuli
Blues brothers: Martin Moodie and Sunil Tuli enjoy a moment of quiet reflection at the famed K Club
After the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the retailer’s guests returned to the magnificent K Club for an evening of superb Irish music, conversation and friendship

Could David Spillane soon be the million dollar man, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free?

 

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