Free Entry into Naas races on Bank Holiday Monday Monday’s €300,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes will see 20 owners, trainers and jockeys chase the €150,000 first prize for the richest race of the year at Naas Racecourse. Five British-trained runners will contest the Bank Holiday Monday feature which is the centrepiece on an action-packed day at the County Kildare venue where racegoers will also have the opportunity to win the trip of a lifetime to the Rugby World Cup. In addition to the fourth running of the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes, racegoers will also be treated to a classy renewal of the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes which has attracted the Willie Mullins-trained Royal Ascot winner Vauban. Two of Willie Mullins’ former stars, Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Briar Hill will be joined by Masterson and Bonita Bay as part of a Treo Eile parade of retired racehorses following the second race on the card. Entry to Naas Racecourse is free on Monday thanks to the kind sponsorship of Ballyhane Stud and prior to racing there will be a Rugby and Racing panel with Kevin O’Ryan previewing the racing and Hugh Cahill getting the thoughts of former Ireland international Bernard Jackman and current Munster coach Mike Prendergast ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Twenty lucky racegoers will be assigned a horse each in the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes and the person linked with the winner of the feature race will win a two-night package with return flights, hotel transfers, hotel B&B, pre-match lunch and tickets for Ireland v South Africa. The Grand Slam and Six Nations trophies won by Ireland this year will also be at Naas on Monday.
