Thyestes Chase

The Thyestes Chase is a National Hunt handicap steeplechase run in Ireland. It takes place at Gowran Park, Gowran, County Kilkenny in January, over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong (5,029 metres) and during the race there are 17 fences to be jumped. The race is usually contested by horses who go on to run in the Grand National and has been won in recent years by two horses who have gone on to win the Grand National, in Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde. The most famous winners of the race were Arkle (1964) and Flyingbolt (1966). It currently has a maximum field of 18 runners. The race is sponsored by bloodstock auctioneers Goffs.

Thyestes Handicap Chase
2021
Coko Beach Run Wild Fred Class Conti

History

The race has been won by three time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Arkle (1964), Irish Grand National & Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Flyingbolt (1966) and Aintree Grand National winners Hedgehunter (2005) and Numbersixvalverde (2006). The race takes its name from the racehorse, Thyestes, named after a figure from Greek mythology. Thyestes, by The Tetrarch (out of Tetratema), was bred by Major Victor McCalmont of Mount Juliet and trained by Atty Persse at Stockbridge, Wiltshire. Thyestes was rated the third-best two-year-old of 1930 as a result of his winning his only two races, the National Breeders Produce Stakes over 5 furlongs at Sandown Park and the Rous Memorial Stakes over 6 furlongs at Goodwood. Thyestes never ran again due to injury and was retired to stud in Yorkshire. The Thyestes trophy was presented to the Kilkenny Show by Major Dermot McCalmont for a 5-year-old likely to make a good hunter. The trophy was won by a horse owned by Mr John McEnery of Rossenarra Stud, Kells, County Kilkenny and ridden by his son Martin. The McEnery family then presented it to Gowran Park for the first running of the Thyestes Chase in 1954.[1][2][3]

Records

Most successful horse since 1988 (2 wins):

  • Wylde Hide – 1995, 1996
  • Bob Treacy - 1999, 2001
  • Priests Leap- 2008, 2009
  • On His Own - 2012, 2014

Leading jockey since 1988 (3 wins):

  • David Casey – This Is Serious (2002), Hedgehunter (2004), On His Own (2012)

Leading trainer since 1988 (8 wins):

Recent winners
Year Winner Age Weight Jockey Trainer
1988 Feltrim Hill Lad 7 10-03 P Connell Patrick Griffin
1989 Olan Lad 9 10-13 M Flynn Frank Lehane
1990 Mweenish 8 10-00 P Gill John Webber
1991 Roc De Prince 8 10-05 Brendan Sheridan Ted Walsh
1992 Grand Habit 8 10-03 Jason Titley Harry De Bromhead
1993 Zeta's Lad 10 10-09 Robbie Supple John Upson
1994 Nuaffe 9 10-12 S H O'Donovan Pat Fahy
1995 Wylde Hide 8 10-08 Francis Woods Arthur Moore
1996 Wylde Hide 9 10-02 Francis Woods Arthur Moore
1997 Couldn't Be Better 10 12-00 Graham Bradley Charlie Brooks
1998 Letterlee 8 10-02 Shay Barry T Cahill
1999 Bob Treacy 10 12-00 Norman Williamson Michael Hickey
2000 Micko's Dream 8 11-07 Jason Titley Willie Mullins
2001 Bob Treacy 12 10-08 John Cullen Michael Hickey
2002 This Is Serious 8 10-00 David Casey Charlie Swan
2003 Be My Belle 7 10-00 Timmy Murphy Sean Treacy
2004 Hedgehunter 8 10-02 David Casey Willie Mullins
2005 Numbersixvalverde 9 10-05 Niall Madden Martin Brassil
2006 Dun Doire 7 09-10 Paul Carberry Tony Martin
2007 Homer Wells 9 10-02 Davy Condon Willie Mullins
2008 Priests Leap 8 10-07 Phillip Enright Thomas Gerard O'Leary
2009 Priests Leap 9 10-13 Phillip Enright Thomas Gerard O'Leary
2010 Whinstone Boy 9 09-11 Sean Flanagan James Joseph Mangan
2011 Siegemaster 10 11-07 Davy Russell Dessie Hughes
2012 On His Own 8 10-02 David Casey Willie Mullins
2013 Jadanli 11 10-07 Andrew Lynch Paul John Gilligan
2014 On His Own 10 11-06 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2015 Djakadam 6 11-10 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2016 My Murphy 10 10-05 Robbie Power Liam Burke
2017 Champagne West 9 11-07 David Mullins Henry de Bromhead
2018 Monbeg Notorious 7 10-02 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott
2019 Invitation Only 8 11-06 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2020 Total Recall 11 11-04 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins
2021 Coko Beach 6 10-06 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott

See also

References
  1. Carlow Nationalist: Thyestes Chase a race of quality
  2. Horseracing History Online – Browse Archive (Races)
  3. Horseracing History Online – Browse Archive (Races)
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