Exciting addition to the biggest day of the year at Naas Racecourse
A general view of Naas Racecourse Photo: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Naas Racecourse have announced the introduction of a brand-new Grade 2 Novice Chase to its prestigious Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas raceday on Sunday, 5th January 2025. The race has been added to the card by Horse Racing Ireland, further elevating one of the most anticipated fixtures on the Irish National Hunt calendar.
In a landmark partnership, Racing Post, the renowned authority in horse racing journalism and analysis, will sponsor this thrilling 2-mile novice chase. This race is set to attract the very best novice chasers in Ireland and promises to be a standout contest in the post-Christmas period, solidifying its status as a key stepping stone for future champions.
Naas Racecourse’s flagship raceday has a remarkable history of producing stars of the National Hunt scene. Recent winners of the novice chase include Blue Lord and Energumene, while the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle has showcased champions such as Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger.
Speaking about the new sponsorship, Aidan McGarry, General Manager of Naas Racecourse, commented: "As we near the conclusion of our centenary celebrations at Naas, it’s thrilling to see the racecourse continue its momentum into the New Year with such an exciting addition to our calendar. The Racing Post Novice Chase is perfectly positioned in the Irish racing calendar to appeal to top-class novices on their road to the Spring festivals. As the ‘Nursery of Champions,’ we are eager to see which horse will rise to the occasion and mark themselves as a standout performer of the 2024-25 National Hunt season.
"We are also immensely proud to welcome the Racing Post as the sponsor of this new race. Their support underscores the importance of this addition to our raceday and highlights Racing Post’s commitment to championing excellence in the sport.”
Richard Forristal, Ireland Editor for Racing Post, added:
"The Racing Post is proud to continue its support of the 2m novice chase division by sponsoring this new race on what is such an important and landmark day, not only in Naas's season but in the National Hunt season as a whole. We are thrilled about the partnership and look forward to seeing a new star emerge."
This addition ensures that the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas raceday continues to be a cornerstone of the National Hunt season, promising a day of top-class racing and unmissable drama.
