Irish EBF Announce New Birdcatcher Series Featuring €20,000 Bonus

The Irish European Breeders’ Fund (Irish EBF) has today announced the launch of the Irish EBF Birdcatcher Series, a major new autumn nursery programme designed to boost opportunities for juvenile horses with over €150,000 in total prize money. The highlight of the new series is an attractive €20,000 bonus linked directly to the traditional Birdcatcher Premier Nursery at Naas Racecourse in October.

How the Series Works

The series features three Nursery Handicaps, each offering €33,500 in prize money:

• The Curragh: August 16^th, 6f
• Navan: September 5^th, 5.8f
• Cork: September 29^th, 6f

If the winner of any of these three qualifying races goes on to win the Irish EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery (5.9f) at Naas on October 10^th, they will receive an additional €20,000 bonus on top of the first-place prize money. This will net connections just over €70,000 from prize money and the bonus.

Joe Foley, Irish EBF Chairman, said; “The launch of the Irish EBF Birdcatcher Series is a strong demonstration of our ongoing commitment to supporting two-year-old racing in Ireland. The intent with the €20,000 bonus is to focus connections on these valuable nursery races and ultimately target the €50,000 Birdcatcher at Naas in October. We look forward to seeing who might be in line for the bonus in year one.”

Jonathan Mullin, Horse Racing Ireland, Director of Racing, commented; "We are delighted to work alongside the Irish EBF on the new Birdcatcher Series. Nursery handicaps are a vital part of the programme for two-year-olds, and this initiative offers increased prize money across four great racecourses, which aligns with Horse Racing Ireland’s prize money strategy. The €20,000 bonus will add great excitement and intrigue for the owners and trainers who target the famous Birdcatcher at Naas."

BIRDCATCHER SERIES RACES 2026