Contact Edel Mc Cabe, Marketing & P.R. Manager, Naas Racecourse 00035345897391/ 00353586 3888532 or email goracing@naasracecourse.com.

Contact Edel Mc Cabe, Marketing & P.R. Manager, Naas Racecourse 00035345897391/ 00353586 3888532 or email goracing@naasracecourse.com.

Hector O’hEochagain will be the commentator and master of ceremonies on the day. The competition will incorporate three events, an egg and spoons race, a three-legged race and the final event will be a relay race when they will be required to pass off the whip as their baton. GOAL will have a bucket collection on the day to raise funds for the Horn of Africa.

Nina – who put her honeymoon on hold to get back to the track following her recent wedding to Ted Walsh Jnr, unveiled her ambitions to lead the newly established ladies team to victory. She said: – “This is the first ladies team to be involved in the Jockey’s Olympics and 2012 is an official Olympic year so we are out to win. Katie Walsh scored the winning goal last year so we’ll be taking lessons from her in preparation for the big day.”

Last year, the prestigious honour went to Meath man Barry Geraghty’s team of Robert Power, John Cullen, Alan Crowe and Paddy Flood who gave their all and were crowned the 2011 Jockey Olympians; there was clear delight as the team did a lap of honour around the parade ring making sure the other team captains could see their delight!

However with 2012 being an Olympic year, and the games being held on our doorstep across in the water in London, the stakes seem that little bit higher.

The ladies clearly have their eye on the prize and they may well be the ones to watch with Katie Walsh scoring the winning goal in the football skills event in 2011. During the afternoon, Captains Barry Geraghty, Paul Carberry, Davy Russell and Nina Carberry will all lead out their teams before the racegoers to take on the challenges in aid of the GOAL Horn of Africa Appeal in the parade ring in two sessions, after the 2nd race and after the 4th race. The first race is off at 1.45pm.

Hector O’hEochagain, MC for the Jockey Olympics, said: “Jockeys are renowned for their high levels of competitiveness; this competitiveness will be raised to an all time new level at the Jockey Olympics at Naas racecourse Sunday 26^th February. Come and see jockeys out of their comfort zone and into the Olympic zone!”

Tom Ryan, Manager of Naas Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Jockey Olympics this year again; our Team Captains Barry, Nina, Paul & Davy are masters at their own game so I’m looking forward to seeing them adapt their talents for our Olympic challenges. I hope a huge crowd turn out to support GOAL’s efforts and cheer on their favourite team for what should be a very unique raceday. On the racing side, this card in 2009 produced four horses that went on to score at Grade 1 level, cementing the meetings reputations as a stepping stone to greatness. Golden Silver was a gallant 4^th in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham after winning the paddypower.com Chase last year.”

Sunday’s Boylesports.com Chase Day at Punchestown is sizing up to be a great sporting event with both Sizing Europe and Big Zeb confirmed for the feature race of the day.

The much anticipated clash of the top two mile chasers goes to post in the Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at 2.55pm and with only one other challenger in the form of Oliver Brady’s Imperial Shabra the race is reminiscent of the match between Dawn Run and Buck House of 1986. Last season Sizing Europe appeared the dominant force of the two when landing the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March only to be overturned by Big Zeb in a thriller at the Punchestown Festival in a race also sponsored by Boylesports. So far this season both have impressed on their respective outings although this will be their first meeting of this campaign.

Sunday’s high quality seven race card is commonly considered a Cheltenham trials day with one of only two Irish run Pertemps Hurdle qualifiers, the Grade 2 Racing UK Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle and of course the spectators favourite the Glenfarclas PP Hogan Cross Country Race taking place.

Commenting on the effects of the current cold snap Punchestown Racing Manager Richie Galway said “The covers are down and have been since Tuesday. It’s a labour intensive initiative but if it is the difference between racing going ahead or being abandoned it is well worth the effort. It takes a team of 20 men a full day to get the covers into position. Galway continued by saying “The hurdle and chase tracks are currently raceable and we are confident, based on the forecast, that there won’t be any problems for Sunday. The cross country track is run over such an expanse it is not feasible to cover it. At present there are a small number of areas that are unraceable, however, if the milder temperatures arrive as forecast and given that we have moved the race to late in the day we are very hopeful”.

Directly after presentations are made to the winning connections of the Boylesports.com Chase full televised coverage of the RBS six nations match between Ireland and Wales will be available throughout the enclosures.

In addition to top class racing action there will also be a full schedule of family entertainment with The Eadestown Spring Show running alongside the sporting action. Kildare GAA star Emmet Bolton will be on hand to take part in a penalty shoot- out with some of the top jockeys in the parade ring. A full craft fair and field day games programme will be underway in the trackside unit with all proceeds going to the Eadestown GAA and Parish Fund.

• Official prices from Boylesports.com:
•
Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase:
4/6 Big Zeb
5/4 Sizing Europe
100/1 Imperial Shabra

The first of seven races goes to post at 1.20. Admission is just €10 or €7 students and seniors. All children under 14 race for free.

1.20: Eadestown GAA & Parish Fair Maiden Hurdle – 2m 4 f
1.50 – Racing UK Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle – 2 m
2.20 – Pertemps H’cap H’dle – 3m
2.55 – Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase – 2m
3.25 – Dobbins and Madigans National Trial H’cap Chase – 3m 4 f
3.55 – Glenfarclas PP Hogan Memorial S’chase – 3m
4.25 – AIRO (Pro-Am) INH Flat – 2m

Visit http://www.goracing.ie/HRI/Fixtures-and-Results/Fixtures/ for full entries. Visit www.boylesports.com for prices.

The Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th April 2012. Please visit www.punchestown.com for further information.

The grade two chase over two miles will be the first time that both horses have met since a thrilling finish at the Punchestown festival last year in a race also sponsored by Boylesports.com

Last season saw the two embark on highly competitive campaign with Sizing Europe stamping his authority in the Queen Mother Chase at Cheltenham. However, Big Zeb turned the tables in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival just a number of weeks later.

Looking forward to Sunday’s clash Colm Murphy trainer of Big Zeb said “ Preparations are going very well. Ideally we would need better ground but we are going to stick to the same plan as last year. We will run on Sunday and then on to Cheltenham and finally back to the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival all going well. Referring to his charges age Murphy continued by saying “Big Zeb is now an 11 year old but he can’t count so we are alright on that front!”.

Sizing Europe’s trainer Henry De Bromhead is looking forward to Sunday’s race “ Sizing is in good form. We were delighted with his Tingle Creek run as it is recognised as a true two mile test. Obviously we would prefer better ground on Sunday but we are sticking to the same route as last season.” With regard to the two horses clashing last year De Bromhead said “Both horses gave a class performance in the Boylesports.com Chase at Punchestown when they were well clear of the field in what was a great race”.

It’s very hard to separate these two horses and at the Punchestown festival last year only ¾ of a length separated them. The two have been the dominant force in two mile chases over the last three years. With the ground likely to be on the soft side we will be favouring Big Zeb as he seems to be more effective on the surface and his head to head record against Sizing on soft ground is very impressive.”, commented Nicola McGeady, Boylesports, PR Spokesperson.

The quality card on Sunday provides an ideal opportunity for Cheltenham hopefuls as it includes the Pertemps Hurdle qualifier, the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle over two miles and of course the Glenfarclas P.P. Hogan Cross Country chase.

The track is currently raceable and the going is ‘Heavy’. A decision will be made regarding the use of frost covers as there is heavy frost forecast over the next few nights.

Action gets underway at 1.20 and admission is €10 or €7 for students and seniors. Children race for free.

Other top class races on the day includes: The Limestone Lad Hurdle (Grade 3). This is shaping up to be an exciting contest. Mikael D’Haguenet looks set to continue his resurgence since his switch back to hurdling. He can follow up recent wins in Fairyhouse and Punchestown with victory in this Grade 3 Event. His main rival should be Luska Lad, who has been competing at a higher level over the past year. He is set to give Mikael D’Haguenet 5lbs and this may prove too much to ask.

The Irish Racing Writers Listed Hurdle is set to be a very competitive race, with all four runners being winners. Noel Meade’s horse, Dylan Ross, is the most experienced form in graded company; he is undoubtedly the horse to beat. Midnight Game has improved steadily over the season and was the winner of a good maiden hurdle over Christmas. Tom Taaffe also runs Distant Memories for his new owner Mrs Fitri Fay, he thinks a lot of this race and his opinion is to be respected.

Naas Racecourse is delighted to be supporting local Clane Charities on the day, with their annual fundraiser in the Panoramic Restaurant. The event is being organised by Fintan Doran and tickets are still on sale at the Naas Racecourse office. Other packages on the day include: The Panoramic Restaurant Package at €48 per person.

First Race is 12.35pm.

General Admission is €15 and includes a FREE €5 bookie voucher. Also, FREE admission for u-18’s and students (u-26) with valid ID.

Follow the build up to the event on the Naas Racecourse Facebook page.

Contact Edel Mc Cabe, Marketing & P.R. Manager, Naas Racecourse 00035345897391/ 00353586 3888532 or email goracing@naasracecourse.com .

The two new Group 3 races (2012 dates shown) are:

23rd August Tipperary Fairy Bridge 7½f 3yo+F
25th August Curragh Irish St Leger Trial 14f 3yo+
(Registered as Ballycullen)

Additionally two new Listed races are being created for 2012:

27th June Naas 10f 3yoF
Late July/early August Galway 7f 3yo+F

Announcing these changes, HRI Director of Racing, Jason Morris said: “The promotion of these races to Group 3 status and the creation of the two new Listed races further re-enforces HRI’s commitment towards its key strategic policy of encouraging the production and retention of high quality horses in Ireland under both codes. The success of this policy was reflected in the World Thoroughbred Rankings announced this week, with 6 of the top 10 and 14 of the top 30 two-year-olds in the world in 2011 being trained in Ireland. The changes announced today will further strengthen the programme for older fillies, encouraging the retention of high quality mares in Ireland and thereby providing a boost to the breeding industry. Ireland has achieved tremendous success in staying races in recent years, winning the last six renewals of the Ascot Gold Cup, and a further Group 3 race will provide a welcome additional Pattern opportunity in this distance category.”

Jane Davis, Tipperary Manager, said: “We are very pleased to have secured the promotion of the Fairy Bridge Stakes to Group 3 status, giving Tipperary a second Flat Group race in addition to our three Flat Listed races. The 2011 race won by John Oxx’s Alanza was an extremely strong contest, including international participation, and we look forward to another high quality renewal at our summer evening meeting on 23rd August this year.”

Paul Hensey, Curragh Manager, commented: “The upgrading of the Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (registered as the Ballycullen) is welcome news, as it will provide a further boost for the Irish staying race programme. It is a race which has attracted some outstanding champions such as Vinnie Roe, Alandi and Fame And Glory, and the race fully deserves its promotion to Group 3 status as the pre-eminent trial for the Irish St Leger.”

Tom Ryan, Naas Manager, stated: “The upgrading of the fillies race here on 27th June is another boost to our progressive flat programme. It will add an extra spark to the start of our BBQ evening series, which was very successful in 2011. Naas Racecourse remains committed to improving its summer schedule at every opportunity.”

John Moloney, Galway Manager, observed: “We are delighted that Galway will be staging a first Flat Black type race at our Summer Festival with the addition of a new Listed contest over 7 furlongs for three-year-old and upwards fillies and mares.”

For further information, please contact:
Jason Morris, Director of Racing. Tel: 045 455411

Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Europe scored a truly brilliant victory at Cheltenham last year and then was overturned by his old adversary in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at the Punchestown festival.

They have not yet met this season so Punchestown on the 5th February will be the venue of the showdown.

Admission is just €10, €7 for students and seniors with all children under 14 years racing for free.

For a limited time only we are offering festival goers reserved enclosure tickets for the same price as general admission.

The reserved enclosure is the hub of festival atmosphere with track side bars, live music and a viewing lawn just metres from the on course action.

Offering convenient access to the betting and parade rings, shopping village and main grandstand the reserved enclosure is the ideal base for your Festival experience.

Book soon to avail of this offer and save €10 per ticket.

The feature race on the day is The Slaney Novice Hurdle, a Grade 2 race worth €37,500 which is certain to see the entries of a distinguished quality field as per years gone by. Boston Bob, trained by Willie Mullins and Grade 1 winner at Navan last time out, looks to be taking the same route to Cheltenham as Mikael D’Hageunet did in 2009. By all accounts Dedigout seems another nice horse the Tony Martin/Gigginstown House Stud partnership and may have other ideas. Dedigout who has won his last two races and could give Boston Bob most to do.

Another race of interest is the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Steeplechase. Mullins could easily dominate this card, with Lambro another hotly tipped contender and winner of a good chase at Naas in November. The Go Racing in Kildare Flat Race is the first four year old bumper of the year. Eddie Hales usually has a competitive candidate for these types of races. His entry War of the Giants could be one to look out for, while Dermot Welds horse Silver Concorde will also be on the punters short list.

Many are viewing this meeting as their last chance to banish the January Blues and the ideal location at which to ‘Race in the New Year in Style’. With silver service hospitality options available from €40 per person in The Panoramic Restaurant and Private Box Platinum Packages from €49 per person.

For more information contact:

Edel McCabe, Marketing & PR Manager, Naas Racecourse.

Tel: 045 897391 or email goracing@naasracecourse.com