Gowran Park
Gowran Park is a horse race course in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the Annely Estate near the village of Gowran.The first meeting was held in 1914.[1] and the first ever racecourse commentary in Ireland took place here in 1952.
Gowran Park hosts 16 race days throughout the year with both National Hunt and Flat meetings.
The Thyestes Chase
The Thyestes Chase starts the year in January with a steeplechase, the Thyestes, which has been won by three time Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner Arkle (1964) and Aintree Grand National winners Hedgehunter (2005) and Numbersixvalverde (2006). Thyestes, named after a figure from Greek mythology, was by The Tetrarch (out of Tetratema) and was bred by Major Victor McCalmont of Mount Juliet and trained by Atty Persse at Stockbridge, Wiltshire. Thyestes was rated 3rd best two year old of 1930 as a result of his winning his only two races. The National Breeders Produce Stakes over 5 furlongs at Sandown Park and the Rous Memorial Stakes over 6 furlongs at Goodwood. Thyestes never ran again due to injury and was retired to stud in Yorkshire. The Thyestes trophy was presented to Kilkenny Show by Major Dermot McCalmont for a 5 year old likely to make a good hunter. The trophy was won by a horse owned by Mr John McEnery of Rossenarra Stud. Kells. County Kilkenny and ridden by his son Martin. The McEnery family then presented it to Gowran Park for the first running of the Thyestes in 1954.[2][3][4]
References
- ↑ Speech by Minister O'Donoghue at the opening of the new grandstand at Gowran Park racecourse
- ↑ Carlow Nationalist: Thyestes Chase a race of quality
- ↑ Horseracing History Online - Browse Archive (Races)
- ↑ Horseracing History Online - Browse Archive (Races)
External links
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Coordinates: 52°36′55.74″N 7°04′15.73″W / 52.6154833°N 7.0710361°W