Sunday 19th of October Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher
Top Irish Model, Holly Carpenter, has been announced as the celebrity judge at Naas Racecourse for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher meeting on Sunday October 19th, traditionally one of the biggest race meetings on the Naas calendar.
Racing returns to Naas Racecourse after an 11 week seasonal break. The Birdcatcher is one of the oldest races in the Irish racing calendar and was first run after the Second World War. The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery will be one of the feature races on a very attractive 8 race programme.
Top model Holly Carpenter, a native from Raheny, was crowned Miss Ireland in 2011 and was named among the semi-finalists in “Britain’s & Irelands Next Top Model” back in 2013 and ranked 7th in the overall final. Holly is a regular blogger on beauty, food and fitness featuring in publications such as Life Magazine and currently models for Assets model agency in Dublin.
All eyes will be on the fashion, as there will be a €1,000 worth of prizes from the Osprey Hotel + Spa to the most stylishly dressed lady on the day. The prize will include a two night stay for two people in the Osprey Hotel + Spa’s luxurious and newly renovated penthouse, with an elegant living room downstairs and your own private balcony, champagne afternoon tea, a delicious dinner at the award winning mash: restaurant and an hour long treatment, of their choice, at Soul Spa.
The momentum and anticipation has been building throughout the year with all sights firmly set on the prize. Not forgetting our finalists, all 10 fashion finalists picked from the glamorous crowd by Holly will receive a Beauty Goodie Bag worth €150 from the Osprey Hotel + Spa and all ladies who dress up get to enjoy a Sparkling Prosseco reception hosted by the hotel.
The European Breeders Fund Birdcatcher Nursery will be one of the feature races on a very attractive 8 race mixed card. This is traditionally one of the biggest race meetings on the Naas calendar.
The feature race is one of the oldest in the Irish Racing calendar and was first run after the Second World War. The first two events are two year old maiden races and in 2004 subsequent English 2000 Guineas winner, Footstepinthesand, made a winning debut in the colts and geldings maiden for trainer Aidan O’ Brien. The hurdle races have also produced some top class recruits. Finger on the Pulse won on Birdcatcher day before success at the Cheltenham festival. Multiple Grade 1 winner Thousand Stars made a winning debut for Willie Mullins in 2009, since then he has accumulated nearly €1 million in prize money.
Top class National Hunt performers have also graced the Birdcatcher meeting, Noel Meade having particular success in the concluding bumper. Galway Plate winner, Road to Riches, won the race back in 2012 with Grade 1 winning hurdlers Aran Concerto and Pandorama also listed as previous winners. Aran Concerto went on to win at the highest level over fences, winning the Powers Gold Cup in 2009.
The 2014 event has a total prize fund of over €200,000 and it promises to be a great day’s racing.
Other sponsors on the day include Rathasker Stud, Profile Systems, the Kildare Post and Forenaghts Stud.
There will be live music before racing, with a free crèche and kids club.
Also available on the day is a special offer in the Panoramic Restaurant, costing only €40 per person, which includes Admission, Racecard, Main Course Dinner and Tea/Coffee with spectacular views overlooking the course.
Admission only €15 with a free €5 bookie betting voucher, under 18’s & students under 26 (with valid ID card) admitted Free.
See Naas Racecourse for more details.