Joe Foley | Horse Racing Free Tips

Following its successful inaugural running in 2020, the valuable Irish EBF Ballyhane S. has attracted an entry of 369 juveniles for its return on Aug. 2.

With guaranteed prize-money of at least €200,000, the juvenile contest, which is run over six furlongs at Naas on the August Bank Holiday Monday, has understandably proved popular. It also offers a bonus of €50,000 if the winner is by a Ballyhane Stud stallion.

“We are delighted to co-sponsor with the Irish EBF and have been thrilled with the response from a large variety of owners and trainers from Ireland and Britain,” said Ballyhane Stud owner Joe Foley. “Last year we had more than 400 entries and were able to stage a consolation race as well. There are fewer entries from Britain this year as a result of Brexit travel concerns and Covid, but it's still a fantastic level of support. I think people like the fact that the entry fees all go into the prize-money for the main race and the consolation race.”

He added, “We had positive feedback from the breeze-up consignors last year who felt that it was a great selling point for the horses with an entry, and that it helped to improve their sales price. A lot of them have signed up again this year and eligible horses will be advertised in the breeze-up catalogues. Of course it's an even greater incentive to buy a 2-year-old by a Ballyhane sire as, if the race is won by a horse by Dandy Man, Elzaam or Prince Of Lir, the winning owner will receive around €200,000 with the bonus.”

Last year's Irish EBF Ballyhane S. was won by Coolmore's Chief Little Hawk (Air Force Blue), who scooped €149,200 of the total prize fund of €291,400, with prize-money awarded down to the 12^th place finisher. The Jack Davison-trained Mooneista (Ire), a filly by Dandy Man (Ire) who started at odds of 50/1, came closest to landing the Ballyhane bonus when finishing third, just 2½ lengths behind the winner.

The Silver Irish EBF Ballyhane S., run on the same card for those who missed the cut, had prize-money to 10^th place and a total pot of €72,000.

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Ballyhane Stud, home to five stallions, has released its fees for 2021, with newcomer Sands Of Mali (Fr) set to stand at €6,500.

Established sires Dandy Man (Ire) and Elzaam (Aus) were both represented by Group 1 winners this year, and Dandy Man’s fee will remain at €15,000, while Elzaam’s has been set at €5,000.

Ballyhane Sud owner Joe Foley said of his stalwart Dandy Man, “Our flagship stallion has had another stellar season with another Grade 1-winning colt in River Boyne (Ire) and four stakes-winning 2-year-olds including the explosive Royal Ascot winner Dandall (Ire).

“His stock continue to be highly sought after in the sales ring and, with the quality of his next crops continuing to rise, his future looks very secure.”

He continued, “Elzaam’s breakthrough Group 1 success with Champers Elysees in the Matron Stakes at Irish Champions Weekend was his highlight. His colts continue to be in high demand in the Far East with many more being sold to Hong Kong this year following the path of Playa Del Puente (Ire), who was so close to winning the Hong Kong Derby last spring.”

The G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint winner Sands Of Mali is the stud’s latest recruit, following four seasons in training with Richard Fahey, during which time he landed four group wins, inlcluding the G2 Gimcrack S.

“He was also an unlucky fast-finishing second in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot,” said Foley. “A blistering success in the Gimcrack at two and the Sandy Lane at three were also impressive Group 2 wins for the good-looking son of Panis out of a highly successful mare.”

There have been fee reductions for Ballyhane’s two emerging sires Prince Of Lir (Ire) and Soldier’s Call (GB). The former got his stud career off to a great start when represented by G2 Norfolk S. winner The Lir Jet (Ire) and his fee for 2021 will be €3,500. Meanwhile Soldier’s Call has been trimmed to €7,500.

Foley said, “Soldier’s Call got a warm reception at stud last season with a large book of mares chock-full of quality. The son of Showcasing has let down into a wonderful specimen and his first foals are eagerly awaited. Given his first-season support, he’d look to have a massive chance of starting strongly with his first crop of 2-year-olds in 2023.”

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