Naas, HRI, NYRA Forge Race Sponsorship Deal
Naas Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland and the New York Racing Association have agreed to a reciprocal race sponsorship partnership.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Equestrian
Naas Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland and the New York Racing Association have sealed a reciprocal race sponsorship deal. The partnership links Irish and New York racing, with Belmont Park's Grade 2 Man o' War presented by Horse Racing Ireland set for November 28, 2026.
Why it matters
The agreement connects two major racing jurisdictions through shared sponsorship of marquee races on both sides of the Atlantic. It gives international horses a defined pathway into a $500,000 Grade 2 turf event at a newly redeveloped Belmont Park.
The Man o' War is a 10-furlong turf race for three-year-olds and upwards carrying a $500,000 purse, run on a card of six stakes races. Entries open November 21, 2026, and the number of horses shipping in from Ireland has not yet been disclosed.
The players
Horse Racing Ireland
The Irish body that governs and promotes horse racing across Ireland and co-presents the Man o' War.
New York Racing Association
The organization that operates Belmont Park, Saratoga and Aqueduct racecourses in New York.
Naas Racecourse
A racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland, that hosts the Irish leg of the reciprocal partnership.
The details
Up to two starting positions in the Man o' War may be reserved for horses shipping from outside North America, subject to NYRA Stakes Committee approval. Naas will reciprocate by hosting the Belmont Park Irish EBF Fillies Maiden on the Wednesday before the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival.
Timeline
September 2026: Belmont Park re-opens following its $555 million redevelopment.
November 21, 2026: Entries for the Man o' War open.
November 28, 2026: The Man o' War is run at Belmont Park.
June 23, 2027: The Belmont Park Irish EBF Fillies Maiden is held at Naas.
Season Trajectory
The reciprocal arrangement follows the pattern of transatlantic turf racing, where Irish-trained horses have increasingly targeted North American events. It positions Naas and Belmont Park as linked stops for three-year-old and fillies programs.
Owners and trainers planning a transatlantic campaign can use the November 21 entry date and the reserved overseas positions as a concrete timeline. Fans wanting to attend the November 28 card should note the six-race program and the Belmont Park re-opening.
The takeaway
The partnership shows how racing bodies are using reciprocal sponsorship to build cross-border fields. For horse owners, the reserved overseas starting positions are the most practical detail to track.
What happens next
Entries for the Man o' War open on November 21, 2026, ahead of the race on November 28, 2026, at Belmont Park.
Further reading
Explore more international Equestrian coverage for context on how transatlantic racing partnerships are built.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Theirishfield.
