Al Shira'aa Racing extend sponsorship at Naas

Al Shira’aa Racing have bolstered their sponsorship at Naas racecourse to include the Group 3 Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Blue Wind Stakes on May 6. The Kildare-based racing and breeding operation also sponsor the Listed Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial (June 28).

The Blue Wind Stakes is often viewed as a stepping stone to the Epsom Oaks with 2018 winner Bye Bye Baby going on to finish third behind Forever Together. The race has also thrown out globe trotters in recent years such as Tarnawa, and the 2022 winner Tranquil Lady went on to take the Group 3 Prix du Flore in Saint-Cloud.

Al Shira’aa Racing is headed by Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and managed by Kieran Lalor. Meadow Court Stud, which was purchased by Al Shira'aa in 2016, is now the base for the Irish company's breeding operation.

Meadow Court Stud has a storied history in thoroughbred racing, having been established by Paddy ‘Darkie’ Prendergast and named after his 1965 Irish Derby winner.

Al Shira’aa Racing have horses in training in Ireland with Ger Lyons and Willie McCreery, in France with Carlos Laffon Parias and Pascal Bary, and in the USA with Christophe Clement and Neil Drysdale. They enjoyed major international success with Mutamakina, the Grade 1 E P Taylor Stakes winner at Woodbine in 2021.

Kieran Lalor said: “We are delighted to be increasing our sponsorship and support of Irish racing to include the Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Blue Wind Stakes alongside the Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial.

“As breeders and buyers, we are mainly focused on the Classic distances and with both races being over the right distances and for three-year-old fillies only they are the sort of races we ourselves would be targeting and certainly hope to soon compete in.

“Sponsoring these Classic trials at Naas is a great way for us to show our continued support for the Irish racing industry and we can recognise the hard work all stable staff put in, which was an important factor for the boss.”

Grooms in their races will be practicing their plaits as Al Shira’aa Racing have boosted the prize fund for the Best-Turned-Out winner to €250 and to recognise the importance of stable staff, all grooms leading up in the race will receive €100.

Naas general manager Eamonn McEvoy said: “I cannot thank Sheikha Fatima enough for her continued support at Naas Racecourse.

“The Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Blue Wind Stakes being a three-year-old only race is positioned perfectly in the calendar to be a leading Epsom Oaks Trial.”