Thyestes Chase

Last updated

Contents

Thyestes Handicap Chase
2023
Owner Miss M A Masterson.svg Owner S P O'Connor.svg Owner Robcour.svg
Carefully SelectedDunboynePencilfulloflead
Previous years
2021
Owner Gigginstown House Stud royal blue cap.svg Owner Gigginstown House Stud red cap.svg Owner Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.svg
Coko BeachRun Wild FredClass Conti
2020
Owner Slaneyville Syndicate white cap.svg Owner The Little House Partnership.svg Owner Mrs Patricia Hunt.svg
Total RecallClass ContiMinella Fair
2019
Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg Owner Mr Graham Wylie red cap.svg
Invitation OnlyAlpha Des ObeauxUp For Review
2018
Owner Gigginstown House Stud royal blue cap.svg Owner Gigginstown House Stud red cap.svg Owner Mr C Jones.svg
Monbeg NotoriousWounded WarriorSpace Cadet
2016
Owner Hans Joerg Zindel.svg Owner Mr C Jones.svg Owner Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.svg
My MurphyMala BeachUcello Conti
2015
Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg Owner Hans Joerg Zindel.svg Owner A Potts.svg
DjakadamMy MurphyGoonyella
2014
Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg Owner Mrs P J Conway.svg Owner Mrs Mary Tyner.svg
On His OwnLos AmigosOscars Business
2013
Owner Mr E Gilligan.svg Owner Mrs Mary Furlong.svg Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg
JadanliTarquiniusPanther Claw
2012
Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg Owner Mrs Mary Tyner.svg Owner Mr E Gilligan.svg
On His OwnTullintainJadanli
2011
Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg Owner Mrs S Ricci quartered cap.svg Owner Mrs Violet O'Leary.svg
SiegemasterThe Midnight ClubBallytrim
2010-2001
2010
Owner Whinstone Syndicate.svg Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg Owner Gigginstown House Stud white cap.svg
Whinstone BoyHangoverSiegemaster
2009
Owner Mr John D O'donohue.svg Owner Mrs P Duffin.svg Owner Mr John P McManus.svg
Preists LeapChelsea HarbourArbor Supreme
2008
Owner Mr John D O'donohue.svg Owner Gerard Burke.svg Owner Mr W A Moffett.svg
Preists LeapBlack ApalachiNewbay Prop
2007
Owner Mrs M McMahon.svg Owner Favourites Racing.svg Owner Michael Bailey.svg
Homer WellsLivingstonebrambleWell Tutored
2006
Owner Dunderry Racing Syndicate.svg Owner Mrs Kay Browne.svg Owner Storey's Over Syndicate.svg
Dun DoireColjonA New Story
2005
Owner Bernard Carroll.svg Owner Robert B Hodgins.svg Owner Aidan Foley.svg
NumbersixvalverdeKymandjenBizet
2004
Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings emerald cap.svg Owner D A Pim.svg Owner Mr John P Lynch.svg
HedgehunterI'vehaditRule Supreme
2003
Owner Mrs M Aherne.svg Owner Mr D Cox.svg Owner Sir Denis Forman.svg
Be My BelleTakagiKirmar
2002
Owner Granit City Syndicate.svg Owner Miss J V Morgan.svg Owner John J Brennan.svg
This Is SeriousBirkdaleBadger's Wood
2001
Owner Denis Hickey.svg Owner T Cronin.svg Owner J D Hannon.svg
Bob TreacyNo ProblemDelgany Royal
2000-1991
2000
Owner Sport Racing Club.svg Owner Mayden Syndicate.svg Owner Denis Hickey.svg
Micko's DreamPaletteBob Treacy
1999
Owner Denis Hickey.svg Owner I Told You So Syndicate.svg Owner D Tierney.svg
Bob TreacyThe QuadsEmerald Gale
1998
Owner T Cahill.svg Owner M J E Thornhill.svg Owner Mrs L C Ronan.svg
LetterleeCorymandelNew Co
1997
Owner R A B Whittle.svg Owner M J E Thornhill.svg Owner Mrs L C Ronan.svg
Couldnt Be BetterCorymandelNew Co
1996
Owner Mr John P McManus.svg Owner Delton Syndicate.svg Owner The Schooner Syndicate.svg
Wylde HideFissure SealLove And Porter
1995
Owner Mr John P McManus.svg Owner UNKNOWN.svg Owner J P Berry.svg
Wylde HideOunavarra CreekIts A Cracker
1994
Owner John G Doyle.svg Owner T P O'Sullivan.svg Owner Michael A Cooney.svg
NuaffeCallmechaCaptain Brandy
1993
Owner Mrs Diane Upson.svg Owner James Lynch.svg Owner Corcrain Enterprises Ltd.svg
Zeta's LadEbony JaneThe Committee
1992
Owner Mrs I H Stewart-Brown.svg Owner UNKNOWN.svg Owner P J O'Brien.svg
Grand HabitNew Mill HouseLanigans Wine
1991
Owner Mr M Donovan.svg Owner Mrs Miles Valentine.svg Owner Peter S Thompson.svg
Roc De PrinceCahervillahowMweenish
1990-1988
1990
Owner Peter S Thompson.svg Owner P J O'Brien.svg Owner Mrs R Wilson.svg
MweenishLanigans WineAuntie Dot
1989
Owner P F Lehane.svg Owner UNKNOWN.svg Owner Mrs P F N Fanning.svg
Olan LadBankers BenefitCranlome
1988
Owner Mrs P Leeman.svg Owner UNKNOWN.svg Owner Mr Sean Lucey.svg
Feltrim Hill LadSound JudgementAnother Brownie
 

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.

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):

Leading jockey since 1988 (3 wins):

Leading trainer since 1988 (9 wins):

Recent winners

YearWinnerAgeWeightJockeyTrainer
1988Feltrim Hill Lad710-03P ConnellPatrick Griffin
1989Olan Lad910-13M FlynnFrank Lehane
1990Mweenish810-00P GillJohn Webber
1991Roc De Prince810-05Brendan Sheridan Ted Walsh
1992Grand Habit810-03Jason TitleyHarry De Bromhead
1993Zeta's Lad1010-09Robbie SuppleJohn Upson
1994Nuaffe910-12S H O'Donovan Pat Fahy
1995Wylde Hide810-08Francis WoodsArthur Moore
1996Wylde Hide910-02Francis WoodsArthur Moore
1997Couldn't Be Better1012-00 Graham Bradley Charlie Brooks
1998Letterlee810-02Shay BarryT Cahill
1999Bob Treacy1012-00 Norman Williamson Michael Hickey
2000Micko's Dream811-07Jason Titley Willie Mullins
2001Bob Treacy1210-08John CullenMichael Hickey
2002This Is Serious810-00David Casey Charlie Swan
2003Be My Belle710-00 Timmy Murphy Sean Treacy
2004 Hedgehunter 810-02David Casey Willie Mullins
2005 Numbersixvalverde 910-05 Niall Madden Martin Brassil
2006Dun Doire709-10 Paul Carberry Tony Martin
2007Homer Wells910-02 Davy Condon Willie Mullins
2008Priests Leap810-07Phillip EnrightThomas Gerard O'Leary
2009Priests Leap910-13Phillip EnrightThomas Gerard O'Leary
2010Whinstone Boy909-11Sean FlanaganJames Joseph Mangan
2011Siegemaster1011-07 Davy Russell Dessie Hughes
2012On His Own810-02David Casey Willie Mullins
2013Jadanli1110-07 Andrew Lynch Paul John Gilligan
2014On His Own1011-06 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2015 Djakadam 611-10 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2016My Murphy1010-05 Robbie Power Liam Burke
2017Champagne West911-07 David Mullins Henry de Bromhead
2018Monbeg Notorious710-02 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott
2019Invitation Only811-06 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2020Total Recall1111-04Danny Mullins Willie Mullins
2021Coko Beach610-06 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott
2022Longhouse Poet810-09Darragh O'KeeffeMartin Brassil
2023Carefully Selected1111-08 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2024Ain't That A Shame1011-03 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkle</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred champion racehorse

Arkle was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. A bay gelding by Archive out of Bright Cherry, he was the grandson of the unbeaten flat racehorse and prepotent sire Nearco. Arkle was bred by Mary Baker of Malahow House, near Naul, County Dublin, Ireland, and was born at Ballymacoll Stud, County Meath. He was owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, who named him after the mountain Arkle in Sutherland, Scotland, that bordered her Sutherland estate. Trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan, in County Dublin, he was ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe.

The Moyglare Stud Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late August or early September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gowran</span> Town in County Kilkenny, Ireland

Gowran is a town located on the eastern side of County Kilkenny, Ireland. The historic St. Mary's Collegiate Church is located in the centre of Gowran close to Gowran Castle. Gowran Park race course and Golf Course are located one km from the centre of Gowran. Gowran is located on the R448 regional road where it is crossed by the R702 regional road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Run</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (2002–2016)

Hurricane Run (2002–2016) was a champion Irish-bred thoroughbred racehorse. He was the second French-trained horse, after his sire Montjeu, to win both the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The colt was trained by André Fabre in France and ridden in all but one of his races by Christophe Soumillon or Kieren Fallon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hedgehunter</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Hedgehunter is an Irish race horse, who won the 2005 Grand National steeplechase, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. He had fallen at the final fence the previous year when well placed. He then finished second in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde. He also finished second in the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup to War of Attrition. The horse was owned by Lancashire billionaire Trevor Hemmings who also owned Blackpool Tower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roberto (horse)</span> American-bred, Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Roberto was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from 1971 until July 1973, he ran fourteen times and won seven races. He was the best Irish two-year-old of 1971, when his victories included the National Stakes. As a three-year-old, he won the Derby before recording a famous victory over Brigadier Gerard in the inaugural running of the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. This is regarded by many experts to have been one of the greatest ever performances on a European racecourse. He won the Coronation Cup as a four-year-old before being retired to stud. Roberto had fragile knees and required a left-handed track to perform to his best; he never won going right-handed. He was described by Lester Piggott as " a champion when things were in his favour". Roberto also proved to be a highly successful and influential stallion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isinglass (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Isinglass (1890–1911) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from 1892 until 1895 he ran twelve times and won eleven races. He was the best British two-year-old of 1892 and went on to become sixth winner of the English Triple Crown by winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, The Derby and the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster in the following year. He was undefeated in his last two seasons, setting a world record for prize money and gaining recognition from contemporary experts as one of the best horses seen in England up to that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetratema</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Tetratema was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from May 1919 until October 1921 he won thirteen of his sixteen races, include the all twelve of his starts over the sprint distances of five and six furlongs. He was unbeaten in five races in 1919, including the Molecomb Stakes, Champagne Stakes, and Middle Park Stakes, and was the highest-rated two-year-old in Britain by a record margin. In the following year he had enough stamina to win the Classic 2000 Guineas over a mile, but failed to stay when unplaced in both The Derby and the Eclipse Stakes. He then returned to sprinting and won his remaining two races of 1920 and all four in 1921. His successes in this phase of his career included the King's Stand Stakes, July Cup and two runnings of the King George Stakes.

The Tetrarch (1911–1935) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was undefeated in a racing career of seven starts and was voted the best British-trained two-year-old of the 20th century according to the National Horseracing Museum. He did not race after 1913 and was retired to stud where he became an influential sire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flyingbolt</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Flyingbolt was a famous racehorse. Officially he is the second best steeplechaser of all time, behind only Arkle, who was ironically stabled just a few doors away in the same yard at Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin where both were trained by Tom Dreaper. A comparison of their merits is probably best illustrated by the Official Handicapper, who at the end of the 1965-1966 season rated Arkle the superior by only 1 lb (0.5 kg). Timeform, the highly respected racing publication, had a difference of 2 lbs between them. However, whereas Arkle is feted and remembered as the greatest steeplechaser of all time, Flyingbolt has been all but forgotten. As a hurdler, he was the best Tom Dreaper ever trained. His wins included the Gloucestershire Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Scalp Hurdle at Leopardstown. He also finished third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Flyingbolt and Arkle never met on the race track, mainly because they were trained by the same man, and he preferred to keep them apart.

The Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Gowran Park over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 100 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Grand National</span>

The 2006 Grand National was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davy Condon</span>

Davy Condon is an Irish National hunt racing jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Condon’s father, Michael Condon, was an amateur jockey. His father rode for Jimmy Murphy and Charles Byrnes, but a fall that left him in a coma cut his career short with just one win to his credit. His nephew Richard is also a jockey and had a winner at the Cheltenham festival in 2021 on Heaven Help Us. His grandfather, Gerry Townend, was also a notable amateur jockey. Condon retired in 2015 after a spinal injury.

Thomas William Dreaper (1898-1975) was an Irish steeplechase racehorse trainer, best known for having been the trainer of Arkle and Flyingbolt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's Theatre (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

King's Theatre was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was trained in the United Kingdom and the United States during a racing career which lasted from July 1993 to June 1996, winning five of his seventeen races. He is best known for winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1994, a year in which he was named European Champion Three-year old colt. King's Theatre later became a sire of both flat racers and jumpers.

Millenary is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He won the St. Leger Stakes in 2000, and, unusually for a Classic winner, stayed in training until the age of eight, winning many important races over middle and long distances.

Nebbiolo (1974–1980) was a British-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from May 1976 to July 1977 he ran twelve times and won six races. He won five times as a two-year-old including the Curragh Stakes in Ireland and the Gimcrack Stakes in England. In the following year he recorded his most important victory when he defeated The Minstrel in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. After failing to win in three subsequent races he was retired to stud where he showed considerable promise before his death in 1980.

The Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Gowran Park over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 100 yards, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.

Margarula is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In her first eleven races she showed herself to be a tough and consistent stayer, winning three handicap races, but appeared to be some way below top class. On her twelfth start however, she produced a major upset when she defeated a field of highly regarded fillies to win the Irish Oaks at odds of 33/1. Margarula finished sixth in her two subsequent races and was retired at the end of the season. She had some success as a broodmare, producing the Sydney Cup winner Grand Marshal.

King Persian was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old in 1983 he won a minor race on his debut and then recorded his biggest win in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. He was unplaced in his only other start that season and made little impact in three subsequent races over the next two years. After his retirement he had some success as a sire of National Hunt horses.

References