Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Mar 30: Dubai-based Indian national John Fernandes joined the list of winners in a night of high excitement at Nad Al Sheba when his ticket no. 0927 in Dubai Duty Free World Cup Surprise Promotion was drawn on the Dubai World Cup day, winning the magnificent Rolls Royce Phantom.

Fernandes, holder of ticket no. 0927 in Series no. 1226 was understandably ecstatic when he received a phone call from Dubai World Cup official on March 25, and said: “This is a great surprise, I couldn’t believe it. I just feel so fantastic winning this fabulous car.”

A resident of Dubai for 30 years, Fernandes’ perseverance had finally paid off as he had purchased quite a number of raffle tickets over the years for the Finest Surprise promotion and said: “I have been trying my luck with the luxury car promotion many times and so when I received a call from Dubai Duty Free — I said to myself, this could be it.”

Fernandes works as a financial controller for a German company based in Jebel Ali Free Zone.

The Finest Surprise tickets for the Rolls Royce went on sale last Thursday at Nad Al Sheba to coincide with the world’s richest horse race and had sold out by 6.30pm Saturday evening.

The draw was made by George Horan, deputy managing director of Dubai Duty Free and Sinead El Sibai, manager-events, advertising and media, Dubai Duty Free before the running of the $5 million Dubai Duty Free Group 1 race on the Dubai World Cup day.