Naas Races Company was formed in 1922 by a number of local businessmen and farmers who included Thomas Whelan, Charles Farrell, Edward Brophy and Patrick Berney.

 

The first official race meeting was held at Naas on Thursday 19th of June 1924 and included flat, hurdle and steeplechase races. Morny Wing was among the winning jockeys on the opening day. Morny Wing was the outstanding racing pilot of his day and was champion flat jockey in 15 occasions and rode 20 Classic Winners during his career.

 

The link between Naas and champions has continued down through the years with many top class Flat and National Hunt horses starting and enhancing their careers at Naas. The 1963 Irish Sweep Derby winner Ragusa had a facile victory of the Ardenode Stakes here at Naas in 1964 before going on to win the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown later that year. Ragusa was owned by locals Jim & Meg Mullion who were great patrons of Irish Racing.

 

Naas has also played host to some of the greatest Steeplechasers down through the year it was the turn of Arkle to visit the winners enclosure at Naas with success in the Rathconnell Hurdle. Mill House went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1963 with Arkel subsequently completing an unprecedented hat trick in '64, '65 and '66.

 

Prince Regent winner of the 1946 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Irish Grand National and Beecher Chase was a regular winner at Naas. Kilmore, Nicholas Silver, Team Spirit and Early Mist all won at Naas before going on to glory at Liverpool in the Aintree Grand National.

 

The reputation of Naas as trainging ground for future champions has continued over the years and many of the '80s and '90s started their careers and enhanced their reputations at Naas. Danoli won two bumpers at Naas on his way to becoming the 'People Champion'. Recent Gold Cup Winners Cool Ground and Imperial Call were familar racegoers at Naas. Doran's Pride has enjoyed some good day's racing here. Klaron Davis, Opera Hat, Flashing Steel, Mucklemeg, Redundant Pal, Carvills Hill, Grabel, Galmoy and Cahervillahow are but some of the great horses that have given pleasure to racegoers at Naas in recent times. Limestone Lad yet another favourite with the racing public won at Naas in 2000.