Gowran Park Horse Races

Gowran Park hosts around 16 race days each year with a mixture of both National Hunt racing and Flat racing and the good news for fans is that each and every race can be watched online.

The racing at Gowran Park is spread evenly throughout the year with National Hunt racing in winter and Flat racing throughout the summer.

Notable races to be held at Gowran Park include the Galmoy Hurdle, the Thyestes Chase, the Red Mills Trial Hurdle, the Red Mills Chase, the Denny Cordell Fillies Stakes and the Gowran Park Champion Stakes.

The great news for fans of Gowran Park races and for racing fans in general is that you can watch all of the action from the course live online via our live streaming partners.

Never again will you miss a race from the course as no matter if it is one of the biggest races of the season or the smallest race featuring locals horses, you can pick and choose just the races you want to watch live.

100% Legal Live Streams

All of the live horse racing streams featured on GGTV are 100% legal and 100% safe. Many websites feature illegal streams that simply steal the content direct from the likes of At The Races and Racing UK and whilst there may be a small cost to watch the races via legal streams (but let’s face it you are likely to be betting on the action anyway!) you can be sure that there are no computer viruses and/or other nasty’s infecting your computer/phone/tablet when watching.

So How is GGTV Different?

The streams that we feature here on GGTV are offered by bookmakers who have paid for the rights to bring you live horse racing action, so you can watch races that you have bet on.

Racing at Gowran can be traced back to 1914 and the course made history in 1952 when the first ever commentary at a racecourse happened at the track.

Located in County Kilkenny, in the south east of Ireland, the course is known as one of the most picturesque in Ireland. The track at the course is a right-handed undulating track which is oval is shape and stands at 1 mile and 4 furlongs in length.

The racecourse features a modern grandstand complete with lots of corporate facilities that makes it a popular place to watch racing live in person for those located nearby but of course for the majority of us, it is the opportunity to watch live racing from Gowran Park online that is of the most interest and that is exactly what you can do via our live stream partners.

There are a little under 20 races held at the course each year and thanks to the course offering a mix of both flat racing and National Hunt racing, there is great racing spread throughout the calendar year.

In January, the standout races are the Galmoy Hurdle (a grade 2 race run over 3 miles for horses aged 5 years and over) and the Thyestes Chase (a handicap chase raced over 3 miles and 1 furlong for horses aged 5 and over).

February races include the Red Mills Trial Hurdle (a grade 3 race run over 2 miles for horses aged 4 and over) and the Red Mills Chase (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs for horses aged 5 and over).

The flat racing season is the focus through the summer with May’s Vintage Tipple Stakes (a listed race of 1 mile and 6 furlong for fillies aged 4 and over) and Septembers Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies Stakes (a group 3 race run over 1 mile 1 furlong and 100 yards for fillies aged 3 and over) are the highlights of the flat season.

In October, the action returns to the jump course with the Gowran Park Champion Chase (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs for horses aged 5 and over) been the standout.

No matter if you are wanting to watch one of the great races above or any of the other action from Gowran Park, the great news for all racing fans is that you can watch all of the action live online via the Gowran live stream services listed on this page.

Whilst there is a wagering requirement to watch Gowran races live via the bookies listed here, we are sure that the majority of those who are looking for a Gowran races live stream, you are wanting to bet on the action as well.

If you have already bet and your bookie does not show you live streaming of races, make sure your next bet is with a bookie that lets you watch the races you bet on.

1914: The opening of Gowran Park Racecourse

The history of Gowran Park Racecourse began on 16 June 1914, when the venue opened its gates to the racing public on the Annaly Estate near Gowran village in County Kilkenny. The opening meeting marked an important development for organised horse racing in the region, establishing a permanent venue for both flat racing and steeplechasing under Irish National Hunt rules.

The inaugural race meeting offered total prize money of £130, a modest sum by modern racing standards but a significant starting point for the new course. The stewards included Lord Annaly, Captain Dermot McCalmont and Isaac Bell, the renowned huntsman of the Kilkenny Hunt. Their involvement reflected the close connections between local landowners, hunting traditions and the development of organised racing in Ireland.

The Annaly Estate provided a countryside setting suited to horse racing, and the course gradually established its identity within the Irish racing calendar. Its original programme combined flat races with steeplechases, a dual-purpose approach that continues to define Gowran Park today. From the outset, the venue was not restricted to one discipline, allowing it to serve different sections of the racing community.

The opening also came during a significant period in Irish history. Just weeks after the first meeting, Europe was plunged into the First World War. Despite the upheavals of the following decades, Gowran Park would go on to build a lasting reputation and become an important part of County Kilkenny’s sporting heritage.

1948: A new race company and a period of innovation

A major organisational milestone came in 1948, when the present race company was formed. Its first managing director was Jack Duggan, associated with the well-known Monster House menswear business in Kilkenny. Under his leadership, Gowran Park introduced developments that helped modernise the spectator experience and strengthen the course’s place in Irish racing.

In 1952, Gowran Park became the setting for Ireland’s first on-course race commentary, according to the racecourse’s official history. The introduction of live commentary represented an important innovation, helping spectators follow the action more easily. For anyone who has ever struggled to identify their horse among a tightly packed field, the value of a good commentator needs no explanation.

The racecourse also claims the distinction of hosting Ireland’s first televised race. These developments demonstrated a willingness to embrace new ways of presenting the sport to audiences, helping bring racing closer to people who could not always attend meetings in person.

Another important innovation followed in 1966, when Gowran Park introduced its first Tote Jackpot. The Tote is a pool-betting system in which stakes are combined and dividends depend on the results and pool calculations. Its introduction added another dimension to the betting experience at the course.

Together, these milestones helped establish Gowran Park as a venue that contributed to the development of Irish racing beyond the results on the track. Its story includes not only famous horses and important races but also changes in the way the sport was presented to spectators.

1954: The first running of the Thyestes Chase

Perhaps the most important event in Gowran Park’s racing history arrived in 1954, when the Thyestes Chase was run for the first time. The race would go on to become one of Ireland’s best-known staying handicap steeplechases and the centrepiece of the course’s January programme.

The race takes its name from the thoroughbred Thyestes, bred by Major Victor McCalmont of Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny. Thyestes was a son of The Tetrarch and was rated the third-best two-year-old of 1930 after winning the National Breeders Produce Stakes at Sandown Park and the Rous Memorial Stakes at Goodwood. An injury ended his racing career early, and he subsequently went to stud.

The trophy associated with the horse was presented at the Kilkenny Show by Major Dermot McCalmont for a contest involving a five-year-old horse considered likely to make a good hunter. After a horse owned by John McEnery of Rossenarra Stud and ridden by his son Martin won the trophy, the McEnery family presented it to Gowran Park for the inaugural running of the chase.

The modern Thyestes Chase covers approximately three miles and one furlong, with horses tackling 17 fences. Its demanding distance makes it a searching examination of jumping, stamina and race management. The contest has also developed a strong connection with the Aintree Grand National, as several winners have subsequently triumphed in that famous race.

1964 and 1966: Legendary winners Arkle and Flyingbolt

Gowran Park secured a permanent place in racing folklore through the Thyestes Chase’s association with two outstanding horses: Arkle and Flyingbolt.

Arkle won the Thyestes Chase in 1964, the same year he captured the first of his three Cheltenham Gold Cups. Trained by Tom Dreaper, Arkle became one of the most celebrated steeplechasers in racing history. His jumping ability, acceleration and remarkable consistency established a reputation that extended well beyond Ireland.

Flyingbolt won the Thyestes in 1966 and went on to achieve major victories of his own, including the Irish Grand National and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. His success added further distinction to the race’s roll of honour and reinforced Gowran Park’s association with exceptional National Hunt horses.

The Thyestes Chase subsequently produced further famous winners. Hedgehunter, who won in 2004, and Numbersixvalverde, victorious in 2005, both went on to win the Aintree Grand National. Their achievements helped confirm the Thyestes as an important staying contest for horses with ambitions at the highest level.

2003: A new grandstand and modern facilities

As racing developed and spectators’ expectations changed, Gowran Park invested in its facilities. A major development programme supported by Horse Racing Ireland culminated in the opening of a new grandstand and associated facilities on 9 April 2003.

The new complex cost approximately €3.5 million and formed part of a wider improvement programme that included upgrades to the stable yard and parade ring. The parade ring is where horses are presented to spectators before racing, allowing racegoers to assess the runners and see the horses close up before they head to the start.

The improvements provided a more modern environment for spectators, owners, trainers and racing professionals. They also helped the course accommodate a wider range of hospitality and event requirements, supporting its role as both a sporting venue and a destination for social occasions.

2006: Recognition for high-quality racing

Another important year was 2006, when Gowran Park reached two notable milestones. The Denny Cordell Lavarack and Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes achieved Group 3 status, placing the race within the recognised pattern of high-quality flat racing. This promotion demonstrated the course’s ability to stage competitive flat races alongside its established jump programme.

In the same year, Gowran Park was reclassified as a Grade 1 course for National Hunt meetings for prize-money purposes. This recognition reflected the quality of the racing staged at the venue, particularly during the winter season. It strengthened the course’s position within Irish jump racing and acknowledged the importance of its major fixtures.

These developments illustrated the dual character of Gowran Park. While the Thyestes Chase and other jump races remained central to its identity, the course was also developing a stronger profile in flat racing, attracting horses and connections competing at recognised levels of the sport.

Gowran Park today: A lasting Irish racing tradition

Today, Gowran Park Racecourse continues to host both National Hunt and flat racing, with fixtures distributed throughout the year. The Thyestes Chase remains its signature event, while Red Mills Day, the October Festival and important flat meetings contribute to a varied programme.

The venue’s modern calendar includes established events such as the Denny Cordell Lavarack and Lanwades Stud Stakes, as well as summer fixtures that attract visitors for both the racing and the social atmosphere. Ladies Day is another popular occasion, combining competitive flat racing with fashion and hospitality.

Gowran Park also benefits from its location around 15 minutes from Kilkenny City. Its countryside setting and links with the local community give the racecourse a distinctive character, while its facilities support corporate events, group outings and other functions outside racing.

From its opening meeting in June 1914 to its modern programme of championship racing, Gowran Park has evolved through innovation, investment and sporting achievement. Its history includes the introduction of on-course commentary, the first Tote Jackpot, the creation of the Thyestes Chase, legendary victories by Arkle and Flyingbolt, and the development of modern spectator facilities.

More than a century after the first runners took to the course, Gowran Park remains an important part of Irish horse racing. Its appeal lies in the combination of a historic setting, quality competition and a welcoming atmosphere. For today’s racegoers, a visit offers the chance to experience a venue where sporting traditions remain very much alive and where the next memorable racing story could be only one race away.