THE inaugural running of Naas Racecourse’s Oktoberfest Weekend Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 14th and 15th. The weekend will conclude the flat season at Naas with some top-class racing featuring the Listed RFL Steels Stakes, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap and The Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap as well as the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final.
Sponsorship ranks
The team at Naas is welcoming Naas Racecourse Business Club member RFL Steels Limited to the sponsorship ranks as they assume sponsorship of the new-to-Naas Listed Waterford Testimonial Stakes. The now-named RFL Steels Stakes will be the feature race on Day 1 of the weekend.
This month marks RFL Steels Limited celebrating 30 years in their current location in Naas and sponsorship at their local track will be part of their celebrations. Fittingly, runners will be jumping off from the six-furlong start, a stone’s throw from the RFL Steels Limited offices on Fishery Lane.
RFL Steels Limited commenced trading in 1987 and they have an extensive network and strong relationships with mills, suppliers, and traders globally. Serving the construction, industrial, engineering, and agricultural sectors, they have grown their portfolio to over 500 customers in Ireland, priding themselves on strong customer service and reliability, they have become one of the largest and most reliable steel stockholders in the country.
Rory Larkin, managing director of RFL Steels Limited, said: “RFL Steels Limited is honoured to have the opportunity to sponsor this race here at Naas. Our business has successfully traded from premises adjacent to the racecourse for the past thirty years. Given the close proximity, this is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the success of both ventures.”
Eamonn McEvoy, general manager of Naas Racecourse, added: “We’re delighted to have a new local sponsor in the shape of RFL Steels Limited. Rory Larkin is a massive sponsor in the local community here in Naas and it is hugely appreciated. Rory is a well-known owner in the Irish racing world and he is a great supporter of the industry.”
Bavarian party
As well as the top-class festival of racing there will be lots happening off the track over the weekend too. Saturday offers an exciting Oktoberfest package which will see the marquee transformed into a Bavarian party, with delicious food, steins, music from The Camembert Quartet and of course, Oktoberfest themed games! With racegoers encouraged to attend in their finest lederhosen, this is the perfect opportunity to get some family or friends together to enjoy a fun filled Oktoberfest at the races!
On Sunday, the team at Naas Racecourse will host the TRM Leading Trainer and Yard Awards. Throughout the weekend, the TOTE spin to win wheel will be in situ giving racegoers the opportunity to win some free goodies too.
Niamh Byrne, marketing manager at Naas Racecourse, said: “We hope friends and families come along to enjoy the celebration of Bavarian culture with traditional steins, food and music. It will be a fun celebration to end what has been a fantastic flat season here at Naas.”
Tickets and hospitality packages including access to the Oktoberfest experience in the marquee on Saturday, October 14th, are available to purchase online, visit naasracecourse.com to book your tickets today.
The Association of Irish Racecourses wishes Eamonn McEvoy, Niamh Byrne and all the team at Naas Racecourse the very best of luck with their Oktoberfest Racing Festival Weekend.
Key dates
Racing in Ireland for the next seven days will take place at:
Tues Oct 10th
Punchestown
Weds Oct 11th
Punchestown
Thurs Oct 12th
Curragh
Tramore
Fri Oct 13th
Dundalk
Sat Oct 14th
Naas