Naas

Jockey John Velazquez made an appearance at Naas in Ireland late on Wednesday afternoon as he attempted to take home his first winner on the Emerald Isle. The Hall of Famer, who has never ridden on Irish soil before, signed on to guide Dermot Weld trainee De Janeiro (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the third race which was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET--a six-furlong maiden for 3-year-olds and up. His mount finished off the board. Before appearing at Naas, the filly ran third at Fairyhouse for Newtown Anner Stud Farm...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features the return of Elizabeth Jane (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). 19.30 Naas, Listed, €52,500, 3yo, f, 10f 84yT ELIZABETH JANE (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) has not been seen since gaining a TDN Rising Star tag at Leopardstown in October, but still has Classic credentials having been pitched back into...

Aidan McGarry is the new general manager of Naas Racecourse, the directors of the facility announced on Thursday. He will start in the position on June 20. Over the past three years, McGarry managed Navan Racecourse, where he introduced the Navan Racing Festival. He was also involved in former roles with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM). Dermot Cantillon, chairman of Naas Racecourse, said of the University of Limerick and National College graduate, "On behalf of the board of directors and the staff of Naas Racecourse we...

Star Bloodstock, the consignment that unearthed talents like Malavath (Ire), A'Ali (Ire) and more, is set to wind down its breeze-up operation and concentrate entirely on producing future top-notchers on the racetrack instead.  The shift in focus has reaped immediate rewards with the aptly-named Make Haste (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), a leading Royal Ascot contender after posting a stunning debut success at Naas for trainer and breeze-up consignor Diego Dias, being snapped up by Gainesway and LNJ Foxwoods.  Bought by Byron Rogers, Star Bloodstock and Dias at the Tattersalls Book...

Showing that he retains all his ability, AMO Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's G1 Phoenix S. and G2 Railway S. winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Frida La Blonde {Fr}, by Elusive City) made virtually all on his seasonal bow in Sunday's G3 Goffs Lacken S. at Naas. Last seen finishing third in the seven-furlong G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. at The Curragh in September, the 2-1 second favourite who was racing under a three-pound penalty demonstrated his early speed to take control under David Egan and stayed on strongly...

Naas stage some potentially key Royal Ascot pointers on Sunday, with the feature G3 Goffs Lacken S. seeing the reintroduction of AMO Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's G1 Phoenix S. and G2 Railway S. winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Failing to see out the seventh furlong of the G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. when last seen at The Curragh in September, he faces last year's G3 Marble Hill S. winner Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) who has a race under his belt having won Navan's Listed Committed S....

HONG KONG, CHINA -- Follow this, if you will. A filly bred in America and purchased for a very reasonable sum as a yearling is exported to Ireland, punches above her weight at the races and is sold to Australia for her second career. A few years after her arrival, she is covered there by a notable successful Northern Hemisphere shuttle stallion, the resulting foal makes trips through the sales ring in Australia and New Zealand and goes on to become arguably the best animal to ever look through a...

The Irish EBF Barrier Trials, which has been a source of Group 1, Classic and even Cheltenham Festival winners, will get underway at Naas on Monday, May 27.  Dundalk Stadium will host the middle fixture on Monday, July 8, while Leopardstown will be the venue for the final date on Wednesday, August 28, again at six and seven furlongs.   Charles O'Neill, CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, commented, "We are looking forward to staging the Irish EBF Barrier Trials again this summer. We are delighted to have the backing of the...

The fifth running of the valuable Irish EBF Ballyhane S., which is to be held at Naas on August 5, has attracted 322 entries. Worth a total of €300,000, with €150,000 to the winner and prize-money down to tenth place, the race is for EBF-eligible two-year-olds by sires with a median auction sale price of €75,000 or less. Hugo Palmer was the winning trainer in 2023 with Golden Trick (Ire) (Galileo Gold {Ire}) for the Bronte Collection, which also owned the runner-up Jungle Mate (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). The Bronte...

Sunday's TRM Equine Nutrition Race at Naas looked an intriguing contest, with four winners lined up including one who was Group 1-placed at two. At the end, there was one who was in total command and that was the filly Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}--Boca Raton {Ire}, by Approve {Ire}) who flashed distinct Classic potential to earn TDN Rising Star status. Racing for Alan O'Flynn's Zinlo Syndicate, the Paddy Twomey-trained Tatts Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up sensation had made an instant impression when off the mark in an often-informative Galway maiden...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the third foal out of three-time Group 1 heroine Alice Springs (Ire). 13.25 Naas, Mdn, €16,000, 3yo f, 8fT FLEETINGLY (Justify) is the third foal out of the G1 Falmouth S., G1 Matron S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who...

The Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final will highlight the Sunday card at Naas, the final Flat day of racing at the Irish Racecourse for 2023. Also on Sunday's card will be the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet S., the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell S., and the finale on Sunday, the Colm White Bookmaker November H., all part of an eight-race programme as the Irish EBF celebrates its 40th anniversary. A field of 13 juveniles will chase the €72,000 first prize in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final....