THE Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby will be staged on a Sunday next year, rather than Saturday.

Saturday was the traditional Irish Derby day until 1988 when it moved to Sunday. The Curragh classic moved back to Saturday evening in 2012 but the race has gradually moved to an earlier time slot in recent years.

This year's edition, won by Westover, went off at 3.45pm on Saturday.

Tuesday's announcement that the race will move back to Sunday in 2023 coincides with the news that Dubai Duty Free will again sponsor the 12-furlong event and that prize money has been increased by 25% to €1.25 million.

Dubai Duty Free has been the title sponsor of Ireland's premier classic race since 2008.

For the first time next year, the eight-race card will become apart of the Tote World Pool programme, whereby global tote operators operate a single pool on several major international race meetings

Terrestrial TV coverage of the race will also include live broadcasts by both RTE and ITV.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Weekend is a three-day racing festival taking place next year from June 30th to July 2nd.

The festival commences with an evening meeting on Friday June 30th, followed by Ladies Day on Saturday (featuring the Group 1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes and the Kildare Village Ladies Derby).

Curragh CEO Brian Kavanagh said: "We are delighted to announce this extension to the Derby sponsorship and the increase in prize money for the Derby itself."