Crowds set to flock to Gowran for race that stops a county

Anticipation is building with Goff Thyestes Day at Gowran Park now only a couple of days away.

Thousands of spectators will descend on the South Kilkenny venue for a cracking’s day’s racing on Thursday January, 23 with the Thyestes Chase the undoubted highlight.

Gowran Park General Manager Eddie Scally admits that preparations are going very well for the big day.

“Ticket sales are going very well and all of our Corporate Hospitality is sold out for the day which is ideal.

“From a General Admission perspective the ticket sales are very high with our Early Bird Offer still running for a few days which people are taking advantage of online at www.gowranpark.ie.

“We do advise people to get tickets online to avoid any possible issues at the gate as a big crowd will be in attendance.”

The feature Thyestes Chase has again attracted a decent field and Scally is looking forward to good afternoon of action.

“The day itself has seven top class races on the card of which include the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle,” he says.

“The Thyestes then has 30 entries currently so I’d be very hopeful of a full field of 18.

“Willie Mullins has six of those entered while Gordon Elliott has multiple entries too so I’m sure we’ll have a very good race.”

Away from the racing, there is also plenty of entertainment on show for what is a huge social event all across the South-East.

“We’ve huge entertainment on show for the day with Mickey Joe Harte who’s currently on Dancing with the Stars performing after racing in the O’Driscoll Whiskey Party Marquee with After Dark so that should be a bit of craic for whoever is into that.

“We also have live music in all the other lounges after racing as we’ve tried to cater for everyone on the day and fingers crossed that will be the case,” Scally said.

The popularity of the day has continued to soar in recent years and massive numbers will again pass through the turnstiles with plenty of stars on show.

“The first Thyestes after Covid was an unbelievable day, as people had been locked up for so long and we were the first sporting event allowed to go back to full capacity. So that was a bit bizarre as it was packed in Gowran. The Thyestes itself is just far enough away from Christmas that people are sick of staying in during January and locally it’s huge as it’s their big day to go racing.

“It’s not just the racing as it’s a proper social day out where you can mingle and meet people.

“We’ve developed the site over the last 20 or 30 years so even if the weather is not on our side, we have plenty of enclosures to keep people dry.

“It’s just one of them days in the calendar, as even where I’m from in Athlone, there is buses coming down and you’d have the same in places like Cork and Wexford.”

Patrons making the journey to Kilkenny will again notice a number of changes on track and it’s something the general manager sees as hugely important in satisfying the customer.

“We’re constantly evolving in Gowran Park and last year we opened the new weighing room while this year will be the first Thyestes that we have been able to use the new sponsors and winning connections lounge which is lovely aswell.

“It’s a nice way to show our appreciation to all our sponsors and connections in a private area that overlooks the track.

“We’re then looking to continue our development work in March as we look after our Racing Club Members and the Owners and Trainers as it’s hugely important to keep upgrading our facilities.”