THURSDAY, January 21st is Goffs Thyestes Chase day at Gowran Park Racecourse, the highlight of the Kilkenny track’s calendar which usually sees a crowd of 8,000 racegoers attend. Management at the picturesque course have decided this year to donate €5 from all full-priced admissions to the Irish Injured Jockeys fund.

This will be the 63rd running of the historic chase, traditionally a trial for Grand Nationals and recently the Goffs Thyestes Chase has become a trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with the last two Goffs Thyestes winners, On His Own and Djakadam, finishing runner-up in the big race.

Eddie Scally, manager of Gowran Park, referred to a potentially serious incident after the fall of Robbie Power at the course last November when, thanks to the quick thinking of fellow jockey Bryan Cooper in releasing Power’s trapped foot, catastrophic injury was avoided.

“Thankfully everyone walked away safely. We have decided to make a meaningful contribution to Irish Injured Jockeys on what is our biggest day.

“We feel this day is the ideal platform for both us and our loyal racing public to show our support for the Irish Injured Jockeys fund and our jockeys in general.”

Full-priced admission on Goffs Thyestes Day is €20 with €5 going directly to Irish Injured Jockeys.