The inaugural renewal of the €200,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane S. scheduled for Aug. 3 at Naas has drawn 563 entries–an Irish record. Those include 345 Irish-based entries, 217 from Britain and one entry from a Wesley Ward-trained colt in America. The six furlong race for 2-year-olds is open to the progeny of sires whose yearlings averaged no more than €75,000 last year.
With racing off indefinitely, the forfeit stage has been postponed.
Jason Morris, Horse Racing Ireland's director of racing, said, “The level of initial entries for the Irish EBF Ballyhane S. has exceeded our expectations and demonstrates the popularity of this new concept. Once the picture becomes clearer over the timing and basis for a resumption of racing, we will evaluate the feasibility of increasing the prize money for the feature race and/or the creation of a consolation event. We can look forward to a very competitive and high-quality contest in what will hopefully be better times.”
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