THE Irish European Breeders’ Fund this week announced Foran Equine as sponsor of the Irish EBF Auction Series.

The three-year deal will significantly boost the prize-money and establish the series as a target for purchasers of yearlings and two-year-olds at public auction.

Now in its third year, the Irish EBF Auction Series for two-year-olds will consist of 21 races across 15 racecourses with a total prize fund of €573,000, including the final to be held at Naas Racecourse in October, worth €120,000, up from €100,000 in 2016.

Each of the 20 qualifying races will have a minimum prize fund of €20,000 as well as the added benefit of being Plus 10 registered, whereby qualified winners will be eligible for a bonus of €12,500 under the Plus 10 Scheme.

The first race will take place at Cork Racecourse on Saturday. May 6th.

The series is designed to create opportunities for horses purchased as a yearling or a two-year-old at public auction for €72,000 or less, with allowances for fillies and horses purchased at a lower auction price.

The final is open to horses who have run in one of the qualifying races and which are EBF eligible.

Trainer Willie McCreery said: “The series creates a clear proposition for a number of my two-year-olds to compete for significant prize-money. This is good news for my owners who continue to invest in my team.”

Eddie Lynam echoed those comments, adding: “I think it is a great initiative and wonderful for Irish racing. I have about 20 two-year-olds in this year and will certainly be looking to target some of the races in the series.”