Naas Racecourse

Weatherbys will sponsor the Weatherbys GSB Premier Handicap at Naas on the Irish EBF Ballyhane S. undercard on Aug. 23. Weatherbys Ireland General Manager Sharon O'Regan said, "We view this sponsorship as support for the whole industry which is understandably under a great deal of pressure in the face of the Covid pandemic. It will sit alongside our other race sponsorships headlined by the Weatherbys Ireland Greenland S. and the very popular Weatherbys ITBA National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme."

A total of 20 lockdown heroes, nominated by their peers for good deeds done in the midst the coronavirus pandemic, are required for the Irish EBF Ballyhane S. on Aug. 23 at Naas, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Thursday. Each hero will be assigned a horse in the €320,000 race, with the winner earning the use of a luxury car from Colm Quinn BMW for a week, a four-night luxury break for two adults and two children at the Heritage, Killenard in County Laois and €2,000 in spending money. To...

Carrying a five-pound penalty for her G1 Cheveley Park S. win in 2019, Stonethorn Stud Farms Limited's Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) made light of that burden to return to the winner's enclosure in style in Wednesday's G3 Yeomanstown Stud Ballyogan S. at Naas. On the front foot from the outset under Shane Foley, the 9-4 second favourite who was no match for Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the course-and-distance G3 Lacken S. last time took control passing halfway and drew away to score by four lengths from Pronouncement...

The inaugural Irish EBF Ballyhane S. at Naas Racecourse on Aug. 23 has had its purse upped to €320,000 from €200,000-making it the richest Irish 2-year-old race of the year--and a consolation race has been added due to high demand. The Irish EBF Ballyhane S., open to the progeny of sires with a median of no more than €75,000 at last year's yearling sales, attracted an initial 563 entries-an Irish record. The winner will receive €150,000 and prizemoney will be paid to all 20 runners, with the final five finishers...

Irish racing returned with a bang as Susan Magnier's More Beautiful (War Front), a half-sister to MG1SW sire Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact), powered into the ranks of TDN Rising Stars with an impressive 3 1/2-length debut victory in Monday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over five furlongs at Naas. The 11-4 favourite made a fast getaway and was in the vanguard throughout. Cruising into an outright lead passing the quarter-mile marker, she quickened in style approaching the final furlong and lengthened clear under mild coaxing in the closing...

Irish equine nutrition company Plusvital has joined Naas Racecourse's portfolio of sponsors and will lend its support to the Plusvital Irish EBF Polonia S. on June 20. Eamonn McEvoy, general manager of Naas Racecourse, said, "We are delighted to have Plusvital on board to sponsor the Irish EBF Polonia S.; we really appreciated them stepping up and supporting us now more than ever. We have also welcomed new sponsors Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital and Compas Stallions who will sponsor the listed races this coming Monday. Existing sponsors Clinton Higgins Chartered...

In a spirit of entente cordiale prompted by the extraordinary environment of the coronavirus pandemic, Goffs UK and Arqana have announced that they will join forces to hold their respective breeze-up sales together in Ireland on June 29 and 30. In what could be a first for European sales, the horses will gallop "potentially in a timed breeze" a few days prior to being offered for sale at the Goffs complex at Kildare Paddocks. There will also be an online bidding facility to support the live auction. A joint statement...

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...

In this weirdest of times, the European turf flat season re-emerges in cautious defiance to the world's rampaging virus with the Kildare circuit of Naas the centre of all focus. As usual, the Irish season kicks off with a card featuring the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S. for fillies and mares which might just be the only G1 1000 Guineas trial to be run for some time if the country follows the lead of some others and commits to lockdown. For now, we can enjoy the...

Arqana has signed on as the sponsor of Naas's new listed race for 2-year-old fillies, the Listed Arqana Irish EBF Marwell S., which will be contested over five furlongs on July 22. Eamonn McEvoy, general manager of Naas Racecourse, said, "We are absolutely delighted to associate our new race, The Marwell S., with a company such as Arqana. Arqana are a world-class company and have a phenomenal record in selling top bloodstock in France that go on to international success. The world-renowned Deauville yearling sale is in August so the...