TALLY-HO Stud is to sponsor the upcoming EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap at Naas. The race is one of the end-of-season highlights in the Irish racing calendar and the historic race will take place on Sunday, October 20th. With a value of €50,000 it is also the richest two-year-old handicap of the season.

Tally-Ho Stud is owned by Tony and Anne O’Callaghan and family and is based in Co Westmeath. It is internationally recognised as one of Ireland’s leading stallion farms and is a major consignor at the sales in Ireland and Britain. Kodiac is one of six stallions currently standing at the Mullingar stud and his Group 1 winners include Fairyland and Hello Youmzain.

Cotai Glory, Galileo Gold, Kessar, Mehmas and Vadamos are also resident at the stud and will be joined in 2010 by Inns Of Court who will be a hugely exciting prospect for breeders, offering the opportunity to breed to a world-class son of Invincible Spirit.

The Tally-Ho Stud Birdcatcher Nursery has been targeted and won by many of Ireland’s leading trainers in recent years, including Ger Lyons, Willie McCreery, Jim Bolger and Aidan O’Brien.

Eamonn McEvoy, general manager of Naas Racecourse, welcomed the news. He said: “I am truly delighted to have the Tally-Ho team on board with us at Naas. Tally-Ho Stud is a fantastic place to visit and see their strong roster of stallions headed by Kodiac. I hope that this is the start of a long association between Naas Racecourse and Tally-Ho Stud.”

October 20th will be a hugely competitive day of racing with the €120,000 Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Finale, the Listed EBF Bluebell Stakes and the Listed EBF Garnet Stakes also being run. Tally-Ho Stud also sponsor the Inns Of Court Handicap on the card.

THE Down Royal Festival of Racing will be a highlight for racing aficionados, socialites and fashionistas alike as the course hosts a weekend of entertainment on November 1st and 2nd.

With the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase the feature of the Saturday card, it will be no less competitive in the best dressed lady competition when frocks, fascinators, heels and hats will be the order of the day. This year the principal sponsor is Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hotel and spa. The winner will take home a prize worth £3,250.

This includes an overnight stay in the resort’s hidden gem, the Red Oaks Residence, for up to six guests, a private cocktail masterclass, a three-course gourmet meal in Red Oaks prepared by a personal chef, access to an array of heated and cool spa experiences in Ireland’s largest thermal village and a choice of spa treatments.

The other finalists will each receive a luxury goodie bag. Judges include Cool FM Breakfast Show presenter and fashion stylist Rebecca McKinney.

Beth Greenan, group sales manager at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort said: “We look forward to seeing the style on the day and would encourage everyone to enter for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.” Claire Rutherford, sales and marketing director at Down Royal added: “The spectacle of Ladies Day is certain to provide an extra element of colour to an already prestigious day of horse racing.”

Gates open On Saturday, November 2nd at 11am and the first race is at 12.45pm. General admission is £15 and tickets are available at the turnstiles. Children under 16 go free and free car parking is available. For full details on The Festival of Racing or to book tickets visit downroyal.com