Who wants to be a millionaire? David Spillane does

by Martin Moodie |
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Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie is the Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report.

DDF moodietipster1 (1)Irishman David Spillane, President of Global Travel Retail Sales in County Dublin, is the winner of our special Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Contest.

As I wrote in my last Blog, Dubai Duty Free not only sponsored the big race itself but also our competition, offering the winner a ticket in the retailer’s ‘Millennium Millionaire’ raffle – offering the chance to win – yes, really – a million Dollars.

Contestants had to choose first, second and third places in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, helped greatly by the expert advice of our anonymous betting expert, The Moodie Tipster (pictured top)

Plenty of you got first (the favourite Harzand) and second (second favourite Idaho) right, but none of you picked the third-placed Stellar Mass – not surprisingly given that it was a 33-1 shot.

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Harzand just holds off Idaho in a thrilling finish to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
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Victorious jockey Pat Smullen salutes the crowd after Harzand’s triumph

US airport retail veteran Alan Gluck, Chairman of Airport Economic & Concession, picked first and second but opted for Moonlight Magic (sixth) to come third, the same oh-so-close prediction as that of Kathi Wolfe, General Manager at Dufry in Chicago. Even closer was John Hume of travel retail industry lobbyists Hume Brophy, no doubt reeling from the Brexit result, who also picked the first two home but selected Port Douglas (fifth) for third place.

All of them came up just short of David Spillane, whose pick for third, 10-1 shot Red Verdon, finished a close 4th.

So David (who was on course at the Curragh to cheer home his selections), there’s a ticket in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw heading your way soon. Pretty soon, Global Travel Retail Sales’ 2016 P&L could look a whole lot better.

Footnote: The Moodie Tipster’s duty free horse racing prediction concession has been extended for another year after a commendable effort on Saturday. He went for Idaho (2nd), Harzand (1st) and Red Verdon (4th) in that order. Close but no cigar.

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As word spread about his racing triumph, David Spillane found himself the subject of intense media interest
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(Left to right) Irish eyes are smiling as David Spillane lets Dermot Davitt, Michelle Lovett and (especially) his wife Isobel that he’s just landed a potential million Dollar winning bet
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(Left to right) Martin Moodie, Sarah Skelly, Liam Skelly, Joanne Skelly, Jo Skelly and David Hope. Liam and David are two of the great figures in ARI’s proud history.
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David Spillane, Michelle Davitt, Isobel Spillane and a stetson-wearing Martin Moodie
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After the raceday, invited guests including The Moodie Davitt Report joined Dubai Duty Free executives for a lovely evening of Irish music at the beautiful K Club

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It’s been a busy few days for Dubai Duty Free as the retailer also hosted its traditional pre-Wimbledon party in London last week. There Martin Moodie and Sunil, Shikha and Karuna Tuli caught up with some of the game’s biggest stars.

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