Goffs have unveiled a new €100,000 two-year-old race exclusive to yearlings out of its Sportsman’s Sale to be held at Naas next year.
The Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge will be run over 6 furlongs at Naas Racecourse on September 15, 2022, with a guaranteed minimum value of €100,000 and prize money to 10th place.
The announcement follows swift on the heels of the confirmation that a new million euro race, the Goffs Million, will be attached to this year’s Goffs Orby Sale.
Commenting on the new Sportsman’s Challenge, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: “Goffs Sportsman’s Sale is an integral part of Ireland’s biggest yearling sales week, coming immediately after the two-day Orby, Ireland’s National Yearling Sale. A real trainer’s sale, the Sportsman’s is a leading producer of two-year-old winners and we anticipate that the addition of this valuable sales race will see demand increase even further from agents and trainers in Ireland, the UK and right across Europe.
“With the yearling sale inspections commencing we are delighted to announce these two sales races to provide a lift to the industry following the challenges of the past year. Back in Kildare Paddocks this year, we look forward to offering two catalogues of relative superior quality with the additional bonus that every yearling buyer at Goffs, from 28th September to 1st October, will be in with a chance to win some major prize money.
“Our two new sales races further bolster Goffs’ burgeoning sponsorship portfolio, which from next season will see three high profile race days throughout September leading right up to the start of Goffs yearling sales with the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge and Goffs Million worth a combined total of €1.5 million.”
Eamonn McEvoy, General Manager of Naas Racecourse added: “We are delighted at Naas Racecourse to have been approached by Goffs to stage the inaugural Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge Race. Races like this are a great addition to the calendar and provide owners with excellent opportunity to win a fantastic purse. We are delighted to extend our partnership with Goffs and great credit is due to them for their recent initiatives.”