Naas Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland and the New York Racing Association have sealed a reciprocal race sponsorship deal.

The partnership commences with the Grade 2, $500,000 Man o’ War presented by Horse Racing Ireland on Saturday, November 28th, at Belmont Park, which re-opened in September following a $555 million redevelopment. Next June Naas will host the Belmont Park Irish EBF Fillies Maiden on Wednesday, June 23rd.

“We are delighted to partner with NYRA and Horse Racing Ireland on this exciting initiative, which further strengthens the relationship between Irish and American racing," said Aidan McGarry, manager of Naas Racecourse.

"Naas has long been recognised as the ‘Nursery of Champions’, with many future stars beginning their careers at the racecourse before going on to achieve success at the highest level internationally. The association with the iconic Belmont Park is a tremendous honour for Naas, and we look forward to welcoming this partnership to our racecourse in June 2027, during one of the most important weeks in the Irish racing calendar."

Charles O'Neill, CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, said on behalf of HRI: "Belmont Park is steeped in history and NYRA has invested in its glorious future. In the tradition of Dermot Weld’s Go and Go or Leo O’Brien’s Fourstars Allstar, who both crossed the Atlantic to win classics – HRI anticipates great days ahead and is delighted to enter a partnership with NYRA and Naas Racecourse."

The NYRA's senior vice president of racing and operations, Andrew Offerman, commented: "NYRA is extremely proud to work with Horse Racing Ireland and Naas Racecourse to promote the important and continually growing connection between horse racing in New York and in Ireland. We strongly believe this partnership continues to highlight the worldwide impact that the new Belmont Park can have on the thoroughbred racing industry.”

Previous winners of the Man o'War include Fort Marcy [1970], Secretariat [1973], Run the Gantlet [1971], Dahlia [1974], Snow Knight [1975], Theatrical [1987], Sunshine Forever [1988], Gio Ponti [2009-'10] and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Cape Blanco [2011].

Up to two starting positions may be reserved in the Man o'War, subject to approval by the NYRA Stakes Committee, for horses shipping in from outside of North America who may not otherwise qualify through the standard preference order. The 10-furlong turf race is for three-year-olds and upwards. The card features six stakes races including the Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby and the Grade 3 Jockey Club Oaks for three-year-olds.

The Belmont Park Irish EBF Fillies Maiden has consistently been a proving ground for well-regarded two-year-old fillies, including 2025 winner Havana Anna, who subsequently was Group 1-placed in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket and this year captured the Group 3 Goffs Lacken at Naas for trainer Donnacha O’Brien. In 2024, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Merrily graduated in the Irish EBF Fillies Maiden before capping her juvenile campaign with a win in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp at Newmarket.

The race takes place on the Wednesday before the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival and during the week of the Goffs Breeze Up Sales. The breeze-up takes place at Naas Racecourse early that week, with the sale itself taking place at Goffs over Derby weekend.

Entries for the Man o’ War will be taken on Saturday, November 21st.