The inaugural Irish European Breeders' Fund (EBF) Birdcatcher Series was launched on Thursday. The highlight of the new series is a €20,000 bonus linked directly to the traditional Birdcatcher Premier Nursery at Naas Racecourse in October. If the winner of any of these three qualifying races goes on to win the Irish EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery in October, they will receive an additional €20,000 bonus on top of the first-place prize-money. The Irish EBF Birdcatcher Series is as follows:Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap (The Curragh, August 16, 2yo, 6f, €33,500Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap (Navan, September 5, 2yo, 5.8f, €33,500Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap (Cork, September 29, 2yo, 6f, €33,500Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap (Naas, October 10, 2yo, 5.9f, €50,000Joe Foley, Irish EBF chairman, said, “The launch of the Irish EBF Birdcatcher Series is a strong demonstration of our ongoing commitment to supporting two-year-old racing in Ireland. Jonathan Mullin, Horse Racing Ireland, director of racing, said, “We are delighted to work alongside the Irish EBF on the new Birdcatcher Series.