Bumper entry for Ballyhane The Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes, the richest race at Naas, has attracted 209 entries ahead of its running on Bank Holiday Monday, August 3rd, with €200,000 in prize money on offer. There will also be an exciting Rugby Sweepstakes open to all race goers with two tickets and accommodation up for grabs to the 2026 Autumn Internationals - Ireland v South Africa on November 21st. The Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes is a six-furlong contest for EBF eligible two-year-olds by a sire with a median price of no more than €75,000. Last year’s prestigious contest was won by the €38,000 purchase, Howd’yadoit, trained by Ger Lyons and ridden by six-time champion jockey Colin Keane. His owner, Sean Jones, looks set to mount a strong defence of the title, with nine horses among the initial entries. UK Raiders Join Strong Local Entry Of the 209 initial entries, 72 are UK-based, with the race continuing to attract strong interest from trainers and owners on both sides of the Irish Sea. The Paddy Twomey-trained Velozee, by Sioux Nation, is among the entries and is already a winner of the opening two-year-old maiden of the season at Cork earlier this month. The stallion is responsible for 12 entries in the race. Also, among the potential contenders is Greenspire, a daughter of the 2021 Cox Plate winner and 2020 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes-placed State Of Rest. Stallion Starman is responsible for eight of the entries, including the Joseph O’Brien-trained Green Sands, who is owned by the familiar double green team of Isaac Souede and Simon Munir, with the pair potentially fielding up to six runners. Potential leading first-season sire Minzaal has 2 entries, including the Karl Burke-trained Rock Steady Beat and the Maribeth Sandford-owned My Irish Lady. The Amo Racing operation is also set to have a major say, with no fewer than 14 entries, ten of which are by Persian Force. Ballyhane Stud have further enhanced their sponsorship by introducing the new Ballyhane Breeders’ Raffle, an initiative designed to reward the breeders supporting the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes, the raffle was open to breeders of all two-year-olds entered at the initial entry stage on March 11th. Tina Dargan was named the winning recipient of a free nomination to the exciting newcomer and Breeders' Cup winner Magnum Force as breeder of 2yo entry Arizona x Amazonite. And Sandra Fox was the winning recipient of a free nomination to the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Sakheer as breeder of 2yo entry Supremacy x Julia’s Magic. Rugby Prizes and Breeders Rewards The Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes Day has firmly established itself as a highlight of the Irish summer racing calendar combining high quality racing with a strong community focus. Following the success of last year’s rugby-themed sweepstakes, the popular competition returns for 2026 and is open to all raceday attendees. Selected participants will be randomly assigned a runner in the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes, giving them the chance to win one of three fantastic prizes. The top prize includes two tickets to the 2026 Autumn Internationals - Ireland v South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 21st along with a hotel stay provided by Cassidy Travel. Runners-up will receive a VIP Day at the races, including dinner for two in the Panoramic Restaurant, while all participants drawn will receive a complimentary copy of The Centenary of Naas Racecourse book. There will be a wide range of activities on the day for racegoers of all ages to enjoy, including the popular Treo Eile “Meet the Racehorse” Experience, where attendees can meet Briar Hill, a former Slaney Hurdle winner and now an equine ambassador. A host of additional family-friendly entertainment will also be available on site, making it a raceday not to be missed. Levelling the Playing Field Joe Foley, owner Ballyhane Stud said: “Now in its seventh year, Ballyhane Stud’s sponsorship of the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes continues to go from strength to strength. We are thrilled to see such a phenomenal response once again; the 209 entries confirm the race as a prime target for owners and trainers across both Ireland and the UK. Our mission from the outset has been to provide a high-value opportunity for two-year-olds by sires with a median price of €75,000 or less, levelling the playing field and giving a wide range of owners and breeders a genuine shot at the €200,000 prize fund. We are also particularly proud to introduce the Ballyhane Breeders’ Raffle, which allows us to directly reward the breeders who form the backbone of the industry. Tina Dargan and Sandra Fox were the inaugural winners, receiving nominations to Magnum Force and Sakheer respectively. With a significant prize fund and high-quality entries, August 3rd promises to be a standout day of racing at Naas.” Aidan McGarry, General Manager at Naas Racecourse, said: “Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes Day is about delivering a top-class raceday experience both on and off the track. With high-quality racing, the Rugby Sweepstakes and great entertainment, there is something for everyone to enjoy, and it’s shaping up to be one of the standout days of the summer. We would like to thank Ballyhane Stud and the Irish EBF for their continued support and for staging this race at Naas.” EXCLUSIVE offer for our irishracing.com audience
