Irish EBF

A total of €3 million will be added to the prize-money of Irish races in 2024 by the Irish European Breeders' Fund (Irish EBF), an all-time record high and bringing the Irish EBF's overall contribution since it was founded in 1983 to over €60 million. Almost 500 races, both Flat and National Hunt, will carry EBF conditions in 2024. A new addition to the calendar this year is the €330,000 3YO Spring Series, with the €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic as its showpiece. The considerable spend of €3...

A new Spring Series of median sires races has been added to the Irish Flat racing calendar for 2024 and beyond in what is a significant boost to the three-year-old programme for middle-distance horses. In an announcement made by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the Irish European Breeders' Fund (Irish EBF) and Gowran Park Racecourse on Monday, the Spring Series will conclude with the €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic--the richest race ever held at Gowran Park--on Bank Holiday Monday, June 3. Three-year-olds with a median price of no more...

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....

Entries are now open for the Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Naas Racecourse scheduled for Monday, May 29. The trials, restricted to unraced juveniles and 3-year-olds, are operated by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) and backed by the Irish European Breeders' Fund (IEBF) and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB). The 2023 edition will be back on turf for the first time since 2019, and all the trials will be conducted over six and seven furlongs. Notable graduates of the trials include Group 1 winner A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot...

Ballylinch Stud's John O'Connor has been named the new Chairman of the European Breeders' Fund. He replaces Philip Freedman, who served two terms in that role. O'Connor, who has also been Chairman of the Irish EBF and ITBA in the past, said, "I am delighted to take on the Chairmanship of the EBF in its 40th year. The EBF plays a significant role in supporting the racing industry at many levels. Due to the calibre of stallions that now stand in Europe and through the commitment of stallion farms large...

The fourth running of the Irish EBF Ballyhane S. on Monday, August 7 will be worth €300,000, with every runner in the race set to earn prize-money. At a twin launch at Ballyhane Stud and the Lord Bagenal Hotel on Wednesday evening, representatives from Naas Racecourse, the Irish EBF and Ballyhane, ably helped by the stud's impeccably behaved new stallion Space Traveller (GB), also announced an accompanying prize for one lucky racegoer of a trip to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Entrance to Naas Racecourse for the meeting will be...

A total of €2.7 million will be added to the prize-money of Irish races in 2023 by the Irish European Breeders' Fund, an all-time record high. Celebrating 40 years of service to Irish racing, the Irish EBF's 2023 contribution brings their overall contribution to over €57 million since its founding in 1983. Almost 500 races, both Flat and National Hunt, will carry EBF conditions this year. Over 42% of the total spend by the Irish EBF is targeted at 2-year-olds, with almost all of the maiden races, the successful Irish...

Tally-Ho Stud has extended its partnership with Naas Racecourse and joined forces with the Irish EBF to become title sponsors of the G3 Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF Ballyogan S. on Aug. 21. They will also sponsor the Inns Of Court At Tally-Ho H. on the same card. Entries for the Ballyogan, for fillies and mares aged three and up, close on July 27. The prize-money has been increased to €80,000, up 60% on 2021. In addition, the winner will earn an automatic free entry into the G1 Flying Five S....

The initial session of Irish EBF Barrier Trials gets underway July 5 at Dundalk Stadium. Beginning at 1p.m. (local time), a total of 10 Trials are scheduled, comprised of tests for unraced 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds over five-seven furlongs. Operated by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) and backed by Irish EBF and the IHRB, Trials are principally serve as formative trials for inexperienced horses. Notable Trial graduates include G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner A Case Of You (Ire) and G3 Gordon S. scorer Ottoman Emperor (Ire). Trials are available to view on...

The Irish EBF Barrier Trials will return to Dundalk Stadium on July 5 and Aug. 30, Horse Racing Ireland announced. They will be restricted to unraced 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds over distances of five furlongs, six furlongs, and seven furlongs, with horses named, returned to training and with a stalls certificate. Irish Thoroughbred Marketing has conducted the trials with the cooperation of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and the Irish European Breeders' Fund since 2018. IRIS will be on hand to record the trials and broadcast them live on YouTube, while...

The Irish European Breeders' Fund will continue with their record sponsorship of €2.6 million in 2022. The second year contributing €2.6 million, it will bring the overall contribution to nearly €54 million since the formation of the Irish European Breeders' Fund in 1983. The spend encompasses nearly 500 races, both flat and National Hunt, that will carry EBF conditions throughout the year. "The owners of every stallion standing in Ireland, big or small, Flat or National Hunt, have contributed to this amount and as chairman, I'd like to thank them...

Joe Foley of Ballyhane Stud has been named the new Chairman of the Irish European Breeders' Fund at the organisation's annual general meeting, while Tom Gaffney of Castlehyde Stud is the new Deputy Chairman. On the Board of the Irish EBF since 2002 as a governor, Foley was appointed to the Deputy Chairman role in 2017. He replaces outgoing Chairman John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud. Gaffney has served on the Irish EBF for 21 years representing Coolmore Stud and also has a wealth of experience from his role as Chairman...