THE June Bank Holiday fixture at Gowran Park is gearing up to be well-attended by both participants and onlookers, with the Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association sponsoring free entry on the day, while 81 entries remain in contention for the featured Irish EBF Gowran Classic, which will also offer a €1,000 sweepstake to racegoers.
The winner of the Irish EBF Gowran Classic will also receive an automatic free entry for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, and a winning filly gets a free entry to the Juddmonte Irish Oaks.
The €200,000 contest is the finale of the Smullen Series, an 18-race series which begins with the Listed Pat Smullen Stakes at Naas for juveniles in July.
The series, which boasts a total prize fund of €665,000, improves the middle-distance race programme for two and three-year-olds, in an effort to increase the appeal of horses bred for middle distance and staying trips at the sales.
Joseph O’Brien won last year’s race with €40,000 yearling Green Triangle and is clearly intent on landing back-to-back renewals, with 22 entries remaining after last week’s forfeit stage.
Johnny Murtagh also accounts for a sizeable portion with eight entered, while Andy Slattery has seven and Michael O’Callaghan has five. Seven British trainers remain in contention, accounting for nine of the 81.
Ahead of next month’s running, Irish EBF chairman Joe Foley said: “The Irish EBF Smullen Series has quickly become one of our most significant sponsorships as it puts the spotlight on the breeding of middle-distance horses by giving connections a rewarding incentive to buy and race them.
Encouraging entries
“The Irish EBF Gowran Classic is the showpiece of the series and to see 81 horses standing their ground is very encouraging for ourselves and Horse Racing Ireland. Gowran Park must be commended on recent facility upgrades and their overall dynamic approach to hosting racedays. We look forward to seeing everyone at Gowran on June 1st and make sure to arrive early to enter the €1,000 Sweepstakes.”
On the raceday experience, Gowran Park general manager Eddie Scally added: “It promises to be a fantastic day out for everyone, and we’re especially delighted to open the gates free of charge thanks to the generous support of the INPBA.
“Tickets will be available to download from www.gowranpark.ie from 9am Friday May 8th, and we’d encourage everyone to secure theirs early and come along to enjoy what is truly a full family fun day.
“With a wide range of activities for children, kindly provided by Sonix Entertainments in Kilkenny, there will be plenty to keep younger racegoers entertained throughout the day. To round things off, we’re thrilled to have the brilliant After Dark band performing live in the evening, ensuring a great atmosphere right through to the finish.”
Free entry is kindly sponsored by INPBA, but tickets must be downloaded in advance from www.gowranpark.ie and were released yesterday morning (Friday, May 8th).