The Irish EBF has revamped its median sires race series for 2020, and it will consist of 24 races with minimum prizemoney of €25,000 and will include a new €200,000 2-year-old median sires race at Naas on Aug. 3 co-sponsored by Ballyhane Stud.
The Irish EBF Median Sires Series will have three levels of races, the majority of which will be for 2-year-olds by a sire with an established median price of €60,000 or less and the rest will be divided between a median price of €75,000 or less and €30,000 or less. There will be an allowance of two pounds and four pounds for sires with lesser values in all three levels to benefit 2-year-olds by sires with a lower median sire price.
The €200,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane S. will be run over six furlongs on August Bank Holiday Monday. It will be open to 2-year-olds by a sire whose median price is not more than €75,000, with allowances for sires whose median price is €50,000 or €25,000 or less.
In 2020, together with the Irish EBF Foran Equine Auction Series, there will now be 50 2-year-old races with a minimum prize fund of €20,000 each in the auction/median auction race category, as well as the opportunity to target the €120,000 Foran Equine Irish EBF final in Naas in October.
John O'Connor, Chairman of the Irish EBF, said, “With the yearling sales about to start and a number of challenges facing the industry such as Brexit and the phasing out of the Plus 10 Bonus scheme, the Irish EBF board and HRI are delighted to announce a significant boost to the 2-year-old race programme in Ireland for 2020. These races will give fantastic opportunities to horses bought at auction but also give the homebred horse an equal opportunity to compete next year for significant prizemoney. In conjunction with the success of the Foran Equine Irish EBF auction series, we are confident these new enhancements will give all owners and trainers of 2-year-olds something to look forward to in 2020.”
Trainer Ken Condon said, “This is such a timely incentive. With the sales season starting next week it will make everyone's job easier to buy yearlings and provide owners a chance to win significant prizemoney next year.”
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