Megarry and King Cuan to clash in Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final at Naas
Naas Racecourse will stage their final flat fixture of 2023 on Sunday as Day 2 of the Oktoberfest Weekend stages the lucrative Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final and the Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap.
Also on Sunday’s stellar card the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes and the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes will feature on an eight race programme as the Irish EBF celebrate their 40th anniversary.
A field of 13 juveniles will chase the €72,000 first prize in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final, including recent listed race winner Megarry for trainer Gavin Cromwell.
The series carried an overall prize fund of €750,000 across 27 races with each of the qualifying races worth at least €20,000.
The €25,000 purchase has already doubled his price tag in career earnings and is the highest rated runner in the field for Sunday’s race.
Cromwell said: “He was very good in the listed race at Fairyhouse and this is a great pot to be taking a chance in.
“Back up to seven furlongs on heavy ground is probably as far as he wants to go and he has plenty of weight to carry but he is a horse that goes through any ground so the conditions won’t be a problem for him. I do think he has come forward again from Fairyhouse and if he runs to his rating he should have a chance.”
Naas winner King Cuan who claimed the valuable Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge last month returns to the venue looking for another significant pay day.
The Paddy Twomey-trained colt was a popular winner at the County Kildare track as many of the Red Lily Racing Syndicate reside near Naas and looks a leading contender once again in this €120,000 prize.
Jakajaro followed home King Cuan that day and will once again oppose for trainer David Marnane.
Last year’s winning trainer Jessica Harrington is represented courtesy of the Nathan Crosse-trained Mo Ghille Mar, while Ger Lyons will look to repeat his 2020 triumph as My Mate Alfie and Duplantis will be saddled by the Meath-based conditioner.
Uluru is a fascinating runner for Joseph O’Brien. The son of Zoffany was a very impressive debut winner for Kevin Coleman and has joined O’Brien to carry the colours of Team Valor International.
Cornahilt Solider will be chasing the €72,000 winners cheque having cost connections just €2,000 at the Goffs Autmn Yearling Sale last year.
Nessa Joyce, Irish EBF Manager said: “This series is a great example of what Irish EBF prize money can do when targeted at a particular segment of the market. The series has gone from strength to strength since starting in 2015, where its main aim was to give the middle to lower end of the sales market a series they can call their own.”
Joyce added: “Connections have absolutely embraced the concept and continue to source horses at the yearling and two-year-old sales to aim back at the series each year. Last years winner, Panic Alarm, cost just £18,000 and won a staggering €86,500 from the series alone in prize money, this is a great example of how a simple concept has taken hold and grown to benefit many areas of the industry.”
Elsewhere on the card there will be 17 runners for Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes, including the 105-rated pair of Honey Girl and Clever And Cool. The Tim Doyle-trained Simply Sideways is another fascinating runner in the one mile contest having won her last three for the in-form trainer. British representation comes in the shape of the William Haggas-trained Good Gracious.
In the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes the Michael Mulvany-trained Fratas goes in search of a five-timer. Jack Channon has booked Seamie Heffernan for Gather Ye Rosebuds, while the Dermot Weld-trained Azazat is the highested rated runner in this €50,000 contest.
A field of 17 runners will face the starter for the finale on Sunday’s card, the Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap.
Willie Mullins is unsurprisingly well represented here with Whiskey sour, Raving Royal, Immelmann and Stoke The Fire, while his nephew Emmet Mullins saddles the top weight Teed Up and Filey Bay.
Last year’s winner Drop The Anchor and Niall McCullagh will once again try to snare the €90,000 two miler for Pat Fahy.
Further details on the Oktoberfest themed weekend at Naas Racecourse can be found at naasracecourse.com.
