Naas Racecourse announces Ballymore as new sponsor of flagship Grade 1 race

Naas Racecourse has announced Ballymore as the new title sponsor of its flagship Grade 1 race, the €100,000 Ballymore Novice Hurdle, which will take place on Sunday, 4th January 2026.

The new three-year sponsorship marks a major partnership for one of the most anticipated early-season contests for emerging National Hunt stars. As the first major race meeting of the new year, the Grade 1 Ballymore Novice Hurdle sets the tone for the Irish racing calendar and is recognised as a key stepping stone for future champions.

Ballymore is one of Ireland and the UK’s most innovative and dynamic property developers, having delivered hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial workspace, cultural, retail, and leisure environments that anchor its neighbourhoods, as well as more than 15,000 homes in Ireland and 20,000 in the UK.

Alongside its development work, Ballymore – which was founded in Kildare in 1982 by Chairman and Group Chief Executive Sean Mulryan, together with his wife Bernardine Mulryan – has maintained a strong commitment to Irish sport, grassroots organisations, and community development.

Speaking of the news, Sean Mulryan said: “We are thrilled to sponsor the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Naas for the next three years and to have the Ballymore name associated with this prestigious race. It is a perfect fit for us as we continue to align ourselves with sport across Ireland.

“As an international business with its roots firmly in Kildare, we are proud to support our home community in this way.” 

Aidan McGarry, General Manager of Naas Racecourse, also welcomed Ballymore on board and said, “Ballymore has been a tremendous supporter of Irish racing, and we are delighted to have them involved in our flagship Grade 1 fixture for the next three years. With an illustrious roll call of past winners, the Ballymore Novice Hurdle gives some of Ireland’s top novices the chance to showcase their talent in advance of the major spring festivals. We are all set for a fantastic day that wraps up the Christmas & New Year Racing season, and we have some further big announcements in the coming days for racegoers to look forward to”.

Ballymore’s sponsorship comes during a significant period of growth for the company. In Ireland, Ballymore is currently delivering 1,500 new homes across nine active sites in Bray, Mullingar, Naas, Newbridge, Portmarnock, and Rush. These developments reflect Ballymore’s long-term vision to deliver high-quality residential communities built on exceptional design and sustainability.

The Grade 1 Ballymore Novice Hurdle on Sunday, 4th January 2026 promises a superb day of top-class racing at Naas, drawing leading trainers, jockeys, and the sport’s rising stars. A strong turnout from racing enthusiasts and the wider community is expected as Naas celebrates one of the highlights of the National Hunt season.

As always, the day will feature elegant fashion, great food and several exciting new activations which will be announced shortly. For more see www.naasracecourse.com