Bumper Entry Still In Contention For Inaugural Gowran Classic

A total of 35 horses have stood their ground for the inaugural Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic, which will be run at Gowran Park on Monday, June 3.

The richest race in the history of the scenic Kilkenny racetrack, the Gowran Classic offers prize-money down to tenth place, with a total purse of €200,000. In addition, the winner will receive an automatic free entry into the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday, June 30.

The Gowran Classic is the culmination of the Spring Series, which was introduced to provide more opportunities for three-year-old middle-distance horses with a median price of no more than €75,000. The total prize-money for the series is €330,000, with a minimum fund of €25,000 per race.

Of the 35 entries, the Ger Lyons-trained Wendla (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is a potential class act following her victory in the G3 Al Shira'aa Racing “Mutamakina” S. at Leopardstown, while Spring Series winner Harbour Gem (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Ocean Of Dreams (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) appeal as likely improvers for the powerful yards of Dermot Weld and Aidan O'Brien, respectively.

British-based runners from the yards of Karl Burke, William Haggas, Charlie Johnston and Charlie Hills could also line up in the Gowran Classic, the headline event at the Bank Holiday fixture which will be free to attend thanks to the sponsorship of the Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association.

Nessa Joyce, Irish EBF manager, said, “The €200,000 Irish EBF Gowran Classic is the centrepiece of the new Spring Series, offering greater opportunities to three-year-old middle-distance horses. It is encouraging to see Harbour Gem, a Spring Series winner, entered and in with a chance to take some of the prize money which is all the way down to tenth place.

“Another exciting element for the winner is an automatic free entry to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, hopefully we are cheering on the Gowran Classic winner at the Curragh. The Irish EBF board are very grateful for the tremendous support given by every one of the 24 trainers and owners with entries in the €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic and we are keen to firmly establish the Spring Series and Gowran Classic in the Irish racing programme for years to come.”