Naas

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....

Horses purchased for €1,000 up to €70,000 are among the 51 entries eligible for the €120,000 Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final at Naas Oct. 15. The Irish EBF is the largest sponsor of races in Ireland. "It's hard to win 2-year-old races in Ireland but this series is a great initiative," trainer Noel Meade said. "The races are worth good money and to have the final at the end of it, it really is great. It is nice to be able to say to somebody that we have these...

Connections of the Paddy Twomey-trained King Cuan (GB) have said that they are optimistic about landing the €100,000 Goffs Sportsman's Challenge at Naas on Thursday afternoon and that the What's App group has been on fire since the colt won at Cork last week.  Owned by the Red Lily Racing Syndicate, which is headed by Naas native Alan Hennessy, King Cuan will come into the lucrative sales race off the back of that extremely impressive Cork display and confidence in the camp couldn't be higher. -- ! TASLEET's King Cuan...

At the latest entry stage, 28 juveniles remain for the €300,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane S. at Naas on Aug. 7. Of the 28 entries, six are British-based runners, with Jungle Mate (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), who was bred by Ballyhane Stud, representing trainer Kevin Ryan. A winner and runner-up in two starts at Hamilton and Carlisle, respectively, the gelding worked well on Wednesday morning. "Jungle Mate is in good form and did his final piece of work today and I was happy with him, so the plan is to run,"...

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. Saturday's Insights features a full sister to G1 Cheveley Park heroine Millisle at Naas. 14.45 Naas, Cond, €25,000, 2yo, 5f 205yT Stonethorn Stud Farms Ltd's homebred EMERALD BANNER (IRE) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) is kin to four black-type performers headed by her G1 Cheveley Park S.-winning full-sister Millisle (Ire). She is...

The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series is back this year, the Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ) announced on Friday. The six-race series offers riding enthusiasts the chance to experience what it's like to be a jockey riding over three of Ireland's best tracks while also raising awareness and much-needed funds for the IIJ. This year's races will be held at Naas Racecourse on Aug. 27, The Curragh on Sept. 24 and Leopardstown Racecourse on Oct. 21. Each rider is asked to raise €10,000 through sponsorship and/or fundraising, with all funds to...

Ever since Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio)'s win in the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. at Naas last month, bloodstock agent Mark McStay had been pestering Taylor Made's Mark Taylor to make his plans to come to Royal Ascot. But the Taylor family is more known for probity and hard work than they are flights of fancy, and Taylor demurred, citing preparations for upcoming sales in America. But when Porta Fortuna launched a determined bid and got up for the win in Friday's G3 Albany S. at Ascot...

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 Insights features the return of TDN Rising Star River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett ({GB}) at Naas. 13.45 Naas, Cond, €40,000, 2yo, 5fT RIVER TIBER (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is dropped back slightly in trip by Aidan O'Brien following his 10-length demolition job at Naas last month, for which...