A RECORD entry of 77 two-year-olds has been received for the fifth running of the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series Final at Naas Racecourse on Sunday, October 20th. The €120,000 race over seven furlongs is restricted to horses purchased for €72,000 or less and who ran in one of the 24 qualifying races during the year.

Jessica Harrington has made 16 entries for the final, including five of her impressive six winners in the series so far. Noel Meade has the final in his plans for seven of his string which includes both of his series winners, Layfayette and Helvic Dream. Other big entry numbers come from Tom Mullins, Joseph O’Brien and Ger Lyons, who have entered seven, six horses and four horses respectively.

Last year’s winner Cedars Of Lebanon was bought for €11,000 from the Tattersalls Ireland September yearling sale and won an impressive €87,625 throughout the series.

Other success stories from last year’s series include Lady Marengo, trained by Ken Condon, bought for €3,000 at auction and who won €15,600 in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series 2018, and Social Graces, trained by Willie McCreery, bought for €11,000 at auction, who won €17,625.

John O’Connor, Irish EBF chairman, said: “The record entries are a testament to the strength and popularity of the series and it’s a very positive sign for next year’s series, particularly with the yearling sales starting next week.

“The average auction price of runners in the series is just over €23,000 and this tells the story that you can get involved and win races with a relatively modest investment.”

Gareth Connolly, sales and marketing director of Foran Equine, commented: “For us this series has been about creating opportunities for our customers including the trainers, owners and breeders who are the backbone of the industry. We are grateful to the Irish EBF for being a great partner in this fantastic initiative.”