Flat Racing Meeting at Gowran Park

Gowran Park hosts a flat racing meeting on Tuesday 1 September, one of the regular midweek fixtures that make up the track’s busy late-summer card. Unlike the track’s Listed and Group races earlier in August, this is a standard flat card without a marquee feature race, which tends to mean a slightly quieter, more locally-minded crowd and a straightforward afternoon or evening of racing without the scale of a festival day.

What to expect

The card runs across a full afternoon or evening of flat racing, with several races making up the September fixture, from handicaps to maiden events. Gowran Park has staged racing since 1914 and holds Grade 1 National Hunt status, though this particular fixture is flat racing on the track’s turf course. Expect a full field of runners from Irish yards, on-course bookmakers and the Tote for betting, and the same clubhouse restaurant, bars and food options that run at every Gowran meeting. It suits regulars more than festival-day visitors: a proper afternoon or evening at the races without the crowds of the track’s bigger fixtures.

Getting there

Gowran village sits on the N10 between Kilkenny city and Carlow town, around 15 minutes by car from Kilkenny city centre. On-site parking is free, and Gowran Park has previously run a complimentary bus from the Parade in Kilkenny city for race meetings, worth checking in advance of this fixture.

While you’re in Gowran

Gowran is a small town with a notable medieval collegiate church at its centre, worth a look before or after racing. There is more to see in Gowran and across Co. Kilkenny.

Good to know

• Date: Tuesday, 1 September 2026
• Venue: Gowran Park Racecourse, Gowran
• Admission: €15 pre-purchased online, €20 on the gate; OAP and student €10 pre-purchased, €15 on the gate
• Exact race times are published closer to the meeting, check gowranpark.ie
• Tickets: gowranpark.ie/racing/buy-tickets