As racing returns to Naas Racecourse for 2026, we at Aloga Equestrian are delighted to continue to sponsor the Grooms’ Canteen for another year. The Allen family’s involvement with horses actually began in racing long before the focus moved more towards showjumping, so being involved with Naas feels like coming full circle. Across the Aloga brands we understand the critical roll stable staff play every single day with the management of horses be it in racing yards or showjumping stables. By supporting the Grooms’ Canteen which provides a wide range of meals to stable staff on race meetings allows us to subside the cost to those using these wonderful facilities.
Catered by the brilliant Lily & Wild team, their work goes beyond food to create a warm, welcoming space for stable staff to take a breath, refuel and feel looked after in the middle of very long days. Providing a selection of warm meals and free teas & coffees we are delighted to once again support Naas Racecourse with this initiative.
Looking back at 2025 really shows why this matters:
Last season, an average of 95 teas and coffees were served at each meeting, amounting to a total of 1,900 cups across the year.
Alongside that, 72 meals were served per meeting, adding up to 1,440 meals in total.
The canteen welcomed an average of 102 visits per meeting, supporting over 2,040 members of stable staff throughout the season.
Behind every number is a person working early starts, late finishes, regardless of cold mornings, long journeys, to provide an incredible level of care for the horses. For us, supporting the Grooms’ Canteen is about recognising those people. Our sport runs because of grooms and stable staff who give everything, often without much attention or thanks.
So as jump racing returns and a new season begins, we’re excited to be back at Naas, proud to continue working with Lily & Wild, and delighted to play a small part in supporting the people at the heart of Irish racing.
