Naas…’Nas na Riogh’…’the meeting place of Kings’

The History
Naas Racecourse was formed in 1922 by a number of local businessmen and farmers that included Thomas Whelan, Charles Farrell, Edward Brophy, Edward Dowling and Patrick Berney. The first official race meeting at Naas was held on Thursday 19th June 1924 and included flat, hurdle and steeplechase races. Since then, the link between Naas Racecourse and many of Ireland's champions has continued down through the years. On the 16th June 2004, Naas Racecourse celebrated 80 years in business. In fitting with the special race meeting, it hosted its first ever Group race: The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Noblesse Stakes of €90,000 (Group 3) won by the Jim Bolger trained Danelissima

The Horses
The reputation of Naas as a training ground for future champions has continued over the years, with many of Ireland's top class flat and national hunt horses starting and enhancing their careers at Naas.

Naas has played host to some of Ireland's finest racehorses including the great Mill House, who celebrated his first victory at Naas in the Osberstown Hurdle. The following year the legendary Arkle made a visit to the winner’s enclosure at Naas in the Rathconnel Hurdle. Mill House went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1963 with Arkle subsequently completing an unprecedented hat trick in ’64, ’65 and ’66.

Other horses that won at Naas before heading across the water to glory at Liverpool in the Aintree Grand National include Kilmore, Team Spirit, Nicholas Silver and Early Mist.

Danoli won two bumpers at Naas on his way to becoming the ‘People's Champion’. Other noticeable names to race goers at Naas include Damson, Imperial Call, Dorans Pride, Opera Hat, Limestone Lad, Glens Music, Sacundai, and Pizarro, who won a bumper at Naas before heading to victory at Cheltenham

In 2002 Swordlestown Stud, one of Ireland's new generation Broodmare Farms, announced sponsorship of the richest 2 year old listed fillies race in Europe, run over a distance of 6 furlongs - The Swordlestown Sprint Trophy, worth a staggering €80,000. This high valued race had its inauguration run at Naas Racecourse, on June 3rd 2002 and was won by the Richard Hannon trained Rag Top. In 2003 the race as won by the Frank Ennis trained Miss. Childrey and in 2004 it was won by the impressive Damson.

The Latest Developments
August 2004: The current project at Naas is the widening of the track to 100 metres all round, which will enable Naas Racecourse to take on extra race meetings. In 2005 Naas will stage fifteen race meetings, an additional race meeting to their 2004 fixtures.