Navan Horse Races

Although Navan offers both types of horse racing it is National Hunt racing where the course makes its name with many notable races including the Boyne Hurdle, the Ten Up Novice Chase, the Flyingbolt Novice Chase, the Webster Cup Chase, the Lismullen Hurdle, the Fortia Chase, the For Auction Novice Hurdle, the Monksfield Novice Hurdle, the Tara Hurdle and the Navan Novice Hurdle.

That’s not to say that the Flat Racing action at Navan isn’t worth watching with popular races including the Ballysax Stakes and the Vintage Crop Stakes.

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.

What Can You Watch?

Navan is one of the leading racecourses in Ireland and it is therefore no surprise that there are lots of fans wanting to watch the action live and the great news for all fans is that it is now easy to watch the best of the action from the course live.

If you are a fan of racing from Navan, you can watch the races that you bet on live from the course via our Navan live stream partners found on this page.

Navan is one of the most famous horse racing courses in the Republic of Ireland and offers a number of great races throughout the calendar year thanks to offering a mix of flat and National Hunt racing.

Whilst there are a couple of notable flat races held at the course it is for jump and hurdle racing that the course is the most famous for but no matter if you are wanting to watch the top races form the course or a small race featuring just local horses, the great news for fans is that you can watch all of the action live online via our Navan live stream partners.

No longer do you need to be at the course in person to watch the racing action live, you can now simply pick and choose the races that you want to watch via our Navan live stream partners.

There is a wagering requirement to watch racing from Navan live via the bookies found on this page but if you are wanting to watch racing from Proudstown, the chances are that you are wanting to bet on the action anyway so why not register with a top bookie, such as the ones found on GGTV, and bet where you can watching racing live?

If you are a flat racing fans, the to races at the course includes the Ballysax Stakes (a group 3 race run over 1 mile and 2 furlongs for 3 year olds only) and the Vintage Crop Stakes (a group 3 race run over 1 mile and 6 furlongs for 4 year olds and above).

For those who follow hurdle racing the closest, top races at Navan includes; the Boyne Hurdle (a grade 2 race run over 2 mile and 5 furlongs for horse aged 5 and over), the Lismullen Hurdle (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs for 4 year olds and above), the For Auction Novice Hurdle (a grade 3 race run over 2 miles for 4 year olds and over), the Monksfield Novice Hurdle (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs for 4 year olds and above), the Tara Hurdle (run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs) and the Navan Novice Hurdle (a grade 1 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs).

Navan also offers a good range of top racing for chase fans including the Ten Up Novice Chase (a grade 2 race run over 3 miles), the Flyingbolt Novice Chase (a grade 3 race run over 2 miles and 1 furlong), the Webster Cup Chase (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs) and the Fortria Chase (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles).

No matter if you want to watch one of those great races above or any other of the races held at Navan, the great news is that that is exactly what you can do via our Navan live stream partners.

Choose Where To Watch Racing From Navan

All of these bookies offer live Navan races streaming, choose your favourite or simply the bookie requiring the lowest stake (the bet you need to place to watch live horse racing via the bookmaker).

To watch any race from Navan all you need to do is register with one of the bookies below and make the wagering requirements to watch live.

1921: The opening of Proudstown Park

The history of modern Navan Racecourse begins in the early twentieth century at Proudstown, just outside Navan in County Meath. Although horse racing had a long history across Ireland, the permanent racecourse at Proudstown was developed in 1921 under the name Proudstown Park. Its creation provided the town and surrounding area with a dedicated venue for organised racing.

The project was driven by Albert Lowry, a local farmer and auctioneer who helped establish the new course. According to historical accounts published by Irish racing sources, the development cost approximately £20,000, a substantial undertaking for the period. The racecourse was completed in 1921, and its opening meeting took place on Friday, 16 September that year.

The first race on the opening card was the Simonstown Plate, which carried prize money of £83. The winner was Bachelor’s Mark, owned by Albert Lowry, trained by Mr Dawson and ridden by J. Patman. This result marked the beginning of a new chapter in organised racing at Proudstown and established the foundation for the venue that would become known as Navan Racecourse.

The location proved suitable for a permanent racing venue. Situated in the countryside near Navan, the course had room to develop a large oval track and accommodate both spectators and racing operations. Its setting in County Meath also placed it within a region with strong connections to agriculture, horses and traditional country sports.

Developing a reputation in Irish racing

During the decades following its opening, Proudstown Park established itself as an important venue on the Irish racing calendar. The racecourse developed a programme that included National Hunt racing, a discipline involving hurdles and steeplechase fences, and later became known for hosting important flat races as well.

Its layout helped define its reputation. Navan has a left-handed oval circuit measuring approximately one mile and four furlongs, with an uphill finish of around two furlongs. The course is considered a big, galloping track, and its demanding final climb can make a significant difference in races over longer distances.

The track’s configuration rewards horses with stamina and the ability to sustain their effort. A runner that travels comfortably early in the race must still have enough energy to handle the final climb, while jockeys need to judge when to ask for a decisive effort. These features have helped make Navan a respected testing ground for horses preparing for major contests elsewhere.

Over time, the racecourse developed facilities for spectators and racing professionals, strengthening its position as a regular destination for meetings across the year. Its programme became associated with important trial races, giving trainers opportunities to assess horses before major festivals and championship events.

1949: Martin Molony’s remarkable achievement

One of the notable moments in Navan’s early history came on 3 March 1949, when jockey Martin Molony rode five consecutive winners at the racecourse. This remarkable achievement demonstrated the consistency and judgement required to succeed in a sport where race conditions, horse behaviour and tactical decisions can all influence the outcome.

Winning several races in succession is difficult even for the most accomplished jockeys. Each contest presents a different challenge, and success depends on working effectively with the horse, trainer and racing team. Molony’s achievement became part of Navan’s historical record and helped establish the course as a venue associated with memorable performances.

Milestones such as this also illustrate the importance of regional racecourses in Irish racing. While major festivals attract international attention, local and mid-sized venues provide the regular competition through which jockeys build experience and horses develop their abilities.

1962: Arkle’s first career victory at Navan

One of the most famous horses associated with Navan Racecourse is Arkle, widely regarded as one of the greatest steeplechasers in the history of National Hunt racing. On 20 January 1962, Arkle recorded the first victory of his career at Navan in a three-mile novice hurdle. He started at odds of 20/1, making the result an especially interesting detail in the early story of a horse who would later become a household name among racing fans.

Arkle subsequently became a dominant force in steeplechasing, winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times, in 1964, 1965 and 1966. His exceptional jumping, stamina and ability to carry weight made him an iconic figure in Irish and British racing.

Navan’s connection to Arkle gives the racecourse a special place in the history of the sport. His first career success at the venue demonstrates how an ordinary-looking novice race can become significant in retrospect when a future champion begins to reveal his ability.

Arkle returned to Navan on 9 October 1963 and won a one-mile-and-six-furlong flat race. On the same afternoon, his stablemate Flyingbolt won a National Hunt flat race. Flyingbolt would also become a celebrated performer, further strengthening Navan’s connection with two outstanding horses of the era.

1984: Dawn Run begins a remarkable chapter

Another major name in Navan’s history is Dawn Run, the exceptional mare trained by Paddy Mullins. In November 1984, she made her chasing debut at Navan, beginning a new stage in a career that would bring her international recognition.

Dawn Run had already shown outstanding ability over hurdles and went on to achieve a rare double by winning both the Champion Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. She won the Champion Hurdle in 1984 and the Gold Cup in 1986, becoming the only horse to win both races at the time of her achievement. Her success made her one of the most celebrated horses in the history of Irish jump racing.

Her connection with Navan reflects the role of the racecourse in the development of leading horses. A chasing debut is an important step for a horse moving from hurdles to fences, as it introduces different jumping demands and can reveal how well the runner adapts to the new discipline.

The Troytown Chase and Navan’s National Hunt identity

As Navan developed through the twentieth century, its reputation became increasingly associated with high-quality National Hunt racing. The Troytown Chase emerged as one of its signature contests, attracting staying chasers to a demanding handicap race over approximately three miles.

The race tests endurance, jumping technique and tactical judgement. Because it is a handicap, horses carry different weights according to their ratings, creating opportunities for runners with varying levels of established form. The contest has become an important feature of the autumn racing calendar and a key attraction for visitors attending Navan’s major jump meetings.

Other important races have helped strengthen the course’s profile. The Fortria Chase provides an early-season test for two-mile chasers, while the Lismullen Hurdle attracts quality hurdlers. The Boyne Hurdle and other National Hunt contests also contribute to Navan’s reputation as a venue where promising and established horses can be assessed before the season’s biggest events.

Together, these races have made Navan a significant part of the preparation cycle for Irish jump racing. Trainers use the course to evaluate fitness, jumping and stamina, while spectators gain an opportunity to see horses developing towards championship targets.

The development of flat racing at Navan

Although National Hunt racing remains central to Navan’s identity, flat racing has also become an important part of its calendar. The course’s flat programme includes races for younger horses, contests for fillies and staying events that can serve as trials for major races elsewhere.

The Vintage Crop Stakes is one of the best-known flat races at Navan. This Group 3 contest is named after Vintage Crop, the Irish-trained stayer who made history by winning the Melbourne Cup in Australia in 1993. Trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Michael Kinane, Vintage Crop’s victory was a landmark achievement for European-trained horses competing in Australia’s most famous staying race.

The Navan race named in his honour has become a recognised trial for staying horses, providing an opportunity to assess runners targeting longer-distance races. Its position on the flat calendar gives the course an important role beyond National Hunt competition.

The Salsabil Stakes is another feature of Navan’s flat programme, alongside other listed and Group-level contests. These races attract quality runners and help ensure that the racecourse offers a varied calendar throughout the spring and summer.

Navan Racecourse today

Today, Navan Racecourse operates as an established venue for both flat and National Hunt racing. It is situated at Proudstown, approximately two miles from Navan town centre, and is recognised for its demanding uphill finish and wide, galloping layout.

The racecourse hosts meetings across much of the year, with an autumn and winter programme that includes major jump fixtures and a spring and summer calendar featuring flat racing. Its annual Navan Racing Festival has become a major attraction, bringing together the Troytown Chase, Fortria Chase and Lismullen Hurdle in a weekend of high-quality competition and entertainment.

Modern facilities include restaurants, bars, a coffee shop, children’s areas and hospitality spaces. The racecourse also stages family events, including the Cusack Hotel Group Family Raceday, which introduces younger visitors to the sport through entertainment and activities.

Navan’s continuing importance lies in its combination of history, sporting quality and accessibility. It provides a stage for promising horses to develop, gives experienced jockeys and trainers valuable competitive opportunities, and brings the local community together for racing throughout the year.

From the opening meeting at Proudstown Park in September 1921 to Arkle’s first career victory in 1962 and the modern Navan Racing Festival, the racecourse has built a rich sporting heritage. Its history reflects the wider development of Irish horse racing, from the achievements of individual champions to the evolution of major races and the continued importance of regional venues.

For today’s visitors, Navan Races offers the opportunity to experience that heritage in person. Whether you come for the Troytown Chase, a summer flat meeting or a family day out, you will be visiting a course where generations of horses and jockeys have helped shape Irish racing. And if your chosen horse fails to win, at least you will have enjoyed the spectacle, the atmosphere and a day out in County Meath.