Gowran Park

Having shaped with real promise at The Curragh last month, Al Shira'aa Racing's Folsom Blues (Blue Point) showed more of his raw material to become a TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard at Gowran on Friday. Sent off the heavily-supported 4-9 favourite for the seven-furlong maiden won by the fellow Joseph O'Brien-trained subsequent Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Intricately in 2016, Al Shira'aa Racing's homebred made all for a power-packed 7 1/2-length success. "He's a lovely horse who shows plenty at home and the key was to get him to relax...

A total of 81 entries remain in the June 1 €200,000 Irish EBF Gowran Classic, the culmination of the Smullen Series. Nine entries are UK-based, including two recent winners: Bunyola Bay (Ghaiyyath) (Richard Hannon) and Mohaaraj (Mohaather) (Richard Hughes). There are four Irish-trained maiden winners entered: Yousaynothingatall (Australia) (Joseph O'Brien), Shaws Bay (Saxon Warrior) (Johnny Murtagh), Satoyama (Alson) (Joseph O'Brien), and Dark Lucinda (Dark Angel). The Irish EBF Gowran Classic is the centre piece of the Smullen Series, 18 races for middle-distance horses, starting in July with the Listed Pat...

The three-day A Good Life Well Lived - Equine Summit ran from Monday, August 11-Wednesday, August 13 in Co Kilkenny. It was presented by the Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA), in partnership with Connolly's Red Mills and featured attendees from numerous Irish industry bodies. During the first day, attendees visited Ballylinch Stud for lunch and a tour of the farm, as well as a stallion parade. Later in the day, guests attended a tour of the manufacturing facilities of Connolly's Red Mills in Goresbridge, and the day concluded with a...

Back by popular demand is the Mark O'Hanlon Memorial Racing and Breeding Quiz, which will take place on Tuesday, February 18. Moving this year from its traditional venue of the Lord Bagenal Hotel to Gowran Park racecourse, the fiendishly difficult quiz which has taxed some of the finest minds in the racing business will get underway at 8pm with Kevin O'Ryan as MC. Teams of four are invited to play for the coveted trophy which last year was won by Eoin Fives, Shane Power, Charles Weld and Declan Foy.  Don't...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features a TDN Rising Star stepping up in grade. 16.53 Deauville, Group 3, €80,000, 2yo, f, 8fT SANDTRAP (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) earned TDN Rising Star status with her impressive debut win at Salisbury last month and heads to Deauville to contest this G3 Darley Prix...

Handed a tough task on debut last month in the G3 Marble Hill S., Ballydoyle's The Parthenon (Ire) (Kingman {GB}--Wonder Of Wonders, by Kingmambo) had finished close enough to Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) and Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) when fifth in that Curragh contest to justify the audacity of that decision. In calmer waters on Sunday at Gowran Park, the descendant of Urban Sea (Miswaki) showed tenacity as well as class to master the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Keen for Wayne Lordan early, the 4-11...

The Gowran Park Breeze-Up Sale is set to make its return in 2025 with powerhouse consignors Willie Browne, Con Marnane and Roger O'Callaghan pledging to support what was formerly known as the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale.  The Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale was relocated to Fairyhouse and run by Tattersalls Ireland back in 2019. However, this year marks the first time that Tattersalls Ireland will run the sale away from the banner of Goresbridge.  After a four-year hiatus, Goresbridge Horse Sales returned to the point-to-point and horses-in-training market last month under the leadership...

A new Spring Series of median sires races has been added to the Irish Flat racing calendar for 2024 and beyond in what is a significant boost to the three-year-old programme for middle-distance horses. In an announcement made by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the Irish European Breeders' Fund (Irish EBF) and Gowran Park Racecourse on Monday, the Spring Series will conclude with the €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic--the richest race ever held at Gowran Park--on Bank Holiday Monday, June 3. Three-year-olds with a median price of no more...

Due to the cancellation of the Gowran Park meeting on Saturday, the G3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies S., has been transferred to Fairyhouse on Monday, Sept. 18. The Group 3's distance has been adjusted to one mile, one furlong and 20 yards, 80 yards shorter than formerly. In addition, the race reverts back to entries after final forfeits stages with fresh declarations to run to be made by 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Against the backdrop of one of the most eagerly anticipated King Georges in recent history on Saturday, bloodstock agent Sean Grassick and trainer Kevin Coleman enjoyed something of a red-letter day of their own when Uluru (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) ran out a taking debut winner at Gowran Park.  Uluru was one of eight yearlings that Grassick purchased on behalf of Atomic Racing at the sales last year and was considered just about the most talented juvenile the commercial syndicate had to go to war with this season.  Despite showing signs...

Sunday's meeting at the Curragh, which was cancelled due to waterlogging, will now be held on Sunday, Aug. 13, Horse Racing Ireland announced. The G2 The Minstrel S. will now be contested this Thursday, July 27, at Leopardstown and the race reverts back to entries after final forfeit stage with fresh declarations to be made by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25. The G3 Rathbride Fillies S. will be contested next Saturday at Gowran Park and will close for fresh entries along with the remainder of the Gowran Park meeting...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's insights features the debut of Knight to King, the 11th foal out of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime. 15.37 Gowran Park, Mdn, €12,500, 3yo/up, 9f 100yT KNIGHT TO KING (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) is the 11th foal out of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo...