Since the first race meeting was held in June 1914, the course has become recognised as one of the best trial courses for both steeplechasing and flat racing in the islands. Levmoss, who pulled off the unique double of the Ascot Gold Cup and the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, first won on the flat at Gowran. Arkle, Nicholas Silver and Foinavon all ran at Gowran before going on to greater success overseas. Recently, Danoli and Doran’s Pride have raced against each other at the brand new October Kilkenny Racing Festival.

The Thyestes Chase (January) is the big event of the calendar, the first major steeplechase in the year. The Red Mills trial Hurdle (February) has become one of the classic Cheltenham Trials, and if Cheltenham week has not satisfied your taste for racing, the Tetratema Cup, which has been run since 1918, takes place on the Saturday after the big English meeting.

In May the flat racing kicks off with The Glanbia Classic trial over the bank holiday weekend, and in June the Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes and the McEnery Cup are run. The ever popular mid-June Jack Duggan Handicap Hurdle keeps the national hunt fans happy. Mid-October is the Kilkenny Racing Festival, a 3-day event which draws big crowds, following the Denny Cordell Landart Memorial Race, The Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle and the National Lottery Agents Champion Stakes.

Fixtures 2006

Travel By Road: The racecourse is approximately 1/4 of a mile outside Gowran village on the Dublin-Waterford road Gowran is 8 miles from Kilkenny. Public Transport: Bus Eireann provides a special bus service from Dublin (Busaras) for most race meetings.