About the course
Gowran Park is just outside the village of Gowran in Co. Kilkenny, on the old Dublin to Waterford road and close to many well-known training and breeding yards. The course opened on 16 June 1914 with a card of Flat races and steeplechases, and in 1952 it became the first Irish racecourse to have a race commentary.
The track is a right-handed oval of around a mile and a half. Gowran Park races all year round, with around 18 fixtures that mix jump racing and Flat racing. A new grandstand opened in 2003, and the site also has an 18-hole golf course and space for conferences and events.
Big meetings and races
Thyestes Chase Day, January. Gowran Park is best known for the Thyestes Chase, a long-established handicap steeplechase run every January. It is the most valuable race at the course and brings the biggest crowd of the year. Horse Racing Ireland notes that it is often contested by horses that go on to run in the Irish Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which links nicely to a later visit to Fairyhouse at Easter.
Red Mills Day, February. A mid-February card with trials for the big spring jumps festivals at home and abroad, including the Red Mills Chase.
October Festival. A two-day meeting that helps kick off the new National Hunt season, including the Grade 2 Champion Chase.
Summer Flat racing. Flat highlights include Denny Cordell Day, which features a Group 3 race, and the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic. In 2006 Gowran Park staged its first Group 3 Flat race.
Getting there
By road: Gowran Park is 13km east of Kilkenny, 130km south of Dublin and 48km north of Waterford. From Dublin or Waterford, take the M9 and leave at junction 7, signposted Paulstown, then follow the signs for Gowran. Drive straight through the village for about 2km and the entrance is on the left. From Kilkenny, take the N10 and branch right onto the R702 for Gowran.
By rail: There are regular trains to Kilkenny and Thomastown stations on the Dublin to Waterford line, with taxis available at both.
By bus: A free shuttle bus runs on race days from The Gaol Road in Kilkenny city, beside Kilkenny Fire Station. It leaves one hour before the first race and returns about 30 minutes after the last.
Facilities and tips for visitors
The main car park is on the right just after the main entrance. Food halls, catering kiosks, hospitality suites and several bars are all close to the betting ring and the grandstand. Catering is handled in house, and the Fairways Restaurant is part of the golf side of the complex.
Nearby places to stay
Kilkenny city, about 15 minutes away and linked by the race-day shuttle, is the obvious base. Thomastown, with its railway station, is another option, and Carlow town is around 30 minutes' drive. For a longer racing trip, Thurles and Wexford are two more Munster and Leinster courses to add.
Latest results: Saturday, 3 October
13:20Gowran Park Hurdle (Listed)2m ½f · Hurdle · Class 1 · 4yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by El Cairos
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | El Cairos t Gordon Elliott | 11-2 | Jack Kennedy |
| 2nd | Gaucher t W. P. Mullins | 11-9 | Paul Townend |
| 3rd | Samui tp Gordon Elliott | 11-2 | Danny Gilligan |
| 4th | Mister Pessimistic t Henry de Bromhead | 11-2 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| F | Ebony King A. Slattery | 11-2 | Cian Quirke |
13:55BOYLE Sports Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)2m ½f · Hurdle · Class 1 · 4yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by Witches Familiar
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Witches Familiar W. P. Mullins | 10-11 | Paul Townend |
| 2nd | Switch From Diesel Ross O'Sullivan | 10-12 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| 3rd | Minella Hollow John J Nallen | 11-1 | Daniel King |
| 4th | Goeasyonme John Patrick Ryan | 11-1 | J J Slevin |
| 5th | Mino Des Mottes tp Gordon Elliott | 11-0 | Jack Kennedy |
| 6th | Like An Ocean Adrian Sexton | 10-7 | Harry Sexton |
14:30Jack Duggan Memorial Handicap Hurdle3m · Hurdle · 4yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by Smallcraftwarning
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Smallcraftwarning t John Patrick Ryan | 10-3 | Daniel King |
| 2nd | Zoffman Noel Meade | 11-0 | Donagh Meyler |
| 3rd | Cobra Queen p Henry de Bromhead | 11-3 | Alan O'Sullivan |
| 4th | Jacovec Cavern p Paul Hennessy | 10-13 | Richard Condon |
| 5th | My Trump Card John McConnell | 11-3 | Alex Harvey |
| 6th | Fad Eadrainn tp Patrick T Foley | 11-8 | Simon Torrens |
| 7th | Butter Fingers Ross O'Sullivan | 10-2 | Shane Markey |
| 8th | Moonovercloon v Declan Queally | 10-6 | Michael Kenneally |
| 9th | Better Times S G Carey | 9-13 | Conor Smithers |
| 10th | Mordor Gordon Elliott | 11-1 | Paddy Cleary |
| PU | Born Bright p Ms Claire O'Connell | 10-3 | James Smith |
15:05PWC Danoli Steeplechase (Grade 2)2m 4f · Chase · Class 1 · 5yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by Fleur In The Park
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fleur In The Park A. Slattery | 11-12 | Cian Quirke |
| 2nd | Blood Destiny t W. P. Mullins | 11-6 | Paul Townend |
| 3rd | Emily Love Gordon Elliott | 10-10 | Sam Ewing |
| PU | Senecia b Vincent Laurence Halley | 11-8 | Phillip Enright |
15:40Like A Butterfly Novice Steeplechase (Grade 3)2m 4f · Chase · Class 1 · 4yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by Frankie John
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Frankie John Denis Gerard Hogan | 10-13 | Daniel King |
| 2nd | Vicar Street t W. P. Mullins | 10-13 | Harry Cobden |
| 3rd | Bowensonfire h Gordon Elliott | 10-13 | Jack Kennedy |
| 4th | Shadow Paddy t Eoin Christopher McCarthy | 11-6 | Simon Torrens |
| 5th | D Art D Art Thomas Cooper | 10-13 | Ricky Doyle |
16:15Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Steeplechase3m · Chase · 5yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by Fou De Toi
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fou De Toi p W. P. Mullins | 11-7 | Paul Townend |
| 2nd | Quantum Quest p Henry de Bromhead | 11-7 | J J Slevin |
| 3rd | Ma Jacks Hill tb Gordon Elliott | 11-0 | Kevin Healy |
| 4th | No Time To Wait tp John McConnell | 11-3 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| 5th | Blue Mosque Noel Meade | 11-3 | Donagh Meyler |
| PU | Killaney King Ross O'Sullivan | 11-3 | Danny Gilligan |
16:50SIS Supporting Irish Racing Beginners Steeplechase2m 4f · Chase · 4yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by Sir Allen
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Sir Allen A. Slattery | 11-12 | Cian Quirke |
| 2nd | Arcadian Emperor t W. P. Mullins | 11-12 | Harry Cobden |
| 3rd | Daydream Nation p William Harvey | 11-12 | Ben Harvey |
| 4th | Leni's Law Liz Doyle | 11-12 | Sean Flanagan |
| 5th | Siege Of Carthage Josh Halley | 11-12 | Phillip Enright |
| F | Mullaghgloss A. Slattery | 11-12 | Philip Donovan |
| F | Bon Viveur t W. P. Mullins | 11-12 | Paul Townend |
| PU | Lemmy Caution b Gordon Elliott | 11-12 | Jack Kennedy |
17:25Sign up to – GavinLynchRacing.com Handicap Steeplechase2m 4f · Chase · 4yo+ · Good To YieldingWon by Luimneach
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Luimneach ht Conor O'Dwyer | 9-13 | Charlie O'Dwyer |
| 2nd | Its Bilbo Henry de Bromhead | 11-12 | Darragh O'Keeffe |
| 3rd | Astley t Paul Traynor | 10-7 | Sam Ewing |
| 4th | Banjaxed Mrs Lorna Fowler | 10-11 | John Shinnick |
| UR | Killeemore Lad A. Slattery | 11-1 | Philip Donovan |
| UR | Drumgill John Patrick Ryan | 11-1 | Daniel King |
Latest highlights
Highlights from Horse Racing Ireland on YouTube. Full race replays are on Racing TV.
Questions people ask
When is the Thyestes Chase run?
Every January at Gowran Park. It is the most valuable race at the course and draws the biggest crowd of the year.
Is there a shuttle bus to Gowran Park?
Yes. A free shuttle bus leaves The Gaol Road in Kilkenny city, beside Kilkenny Fire Station, one hour before the first race and returns about 30 minutes after the last race.
Which train station is nearest to Gowran Park?
Kilkenny and Thomastown stations, both on the Dublin to Waterford line, are the closest. Taxis are available from both.
Sources
- Gowran Park, Racing
- Gowran Park, Our story
- Gowran Park, Fairways Restaurant
- Gowran Park, Directions
- Horse Racing Ireland, Gowran Park Racecourse
- Association of Irish Racecourses, Gowran Park
- Wikipedia, Gowran Park Racecourse
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Dates and details change, so check with the racecourse before you travel.