Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial attracts 10 runners

Some of Ireland’s Royal Ascot winning trainer/jockey combinations will be planning further big targets at Naas Racecourse on Wednesday evening.
Three of the last four renewals of the Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial produced subsequent Group 1 winners with Even So winning the 2020 renewal before winning the Irish Oaks.

This year’s 10-runner field will see three Aidan O’Brien-trained runners go to post and Dame Kiri, Lambada and Library all hold Irish Oaks entries for the champion trainer. Library is the highest rated of the trio on official ratings.
O’Brien has won the last two renewals of the Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial but in the way of a potential hat-trick is three runners trained by his son, Joseph.

Maxux, who made a very impressive debut when winning at Gowran Park earlier this month, will line up for Real Madrid and Spanish International footballer, Alvaro Odriozola and Mikey Sheehy retains the partnership on the daughter of Frankel.

Naas Racecourse sponsored jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle will also renew his partnership with another recent Gowran Park winner, Perfect Portrait while Declan McDonogh rides Shamwari for the in-form stable.

Henry de Bromhead is a regular winner of big prizes at Naas in the winter months but the Waterford trainer is now accustomed to landing some nice races on the Flat and Empress Of Beauty is a notable runner in Wednesday’s feature.

Fresh from Coronation Stakes glory with Tahiyra at Royal Ascot, the Dermot Weld, Chris Hayes and His Highness Aga Khan team will be hoping to unearth another exciting prospect with Naas maiden winner Mashia returning to the Kildare track.

Trainer Jessica Harrington has booked Ben Coen for Small Oasis, while champion jockey Colin Keane will partner Snowcapped for the stable having guided Villanova Queen to Royal Ascot glory for the Moone outfit last week.
Harrington looks to repeat the success of Trethias in the 2019 renewal when Trethias had a subsequent dual Irish St Leger winner in Search For A Song back in second and the Harrington team are hoping that Small Oasis and Snowcapped are both fillies that have the potential to step up in grade.
“Things just didn’t really work out for Small Oasis in France earlier this month when she ran in a listed race at Longchamp but she has come back from that in good form and we are looking forward to stepping her up in trip,” Kate Harrington, assistant trainer to her mother, Jessica, said today.
“Snowcapped has been a revelation this season and ran a cracking race on Guineas weekend at the Curragh. She is going from handicap up to listed company now but hopefully she can keep progressing.
“We didn’t have Small Oasis last season but they are two fillies going in the right direction and we are looking forward to running them on Wednesday. Consideration might have to be given to looking at an Irish Oaks with them if they run well on Wednesday so we’ll wait and see what happens. The ground should be perfect for both of them,” Harrington continued.
The June Summer Racing, BBQ and Music evening kicks off with the first race at 4.55pm on Wednesday and the ever popular band The Kilkenny’s will be on stage with live music after the eighth and final race of the evening. Further details and package options are available on naasracecourse.com