Pat Walsh Memorial Hurdle and Mucklemeg Mares Bumper at Gowran Park

Gowran Park switches from flat to National Hunt racing for Friday 2 October, a jumps card headlined by the Pat Walsh Memorial Hurdle and the Listed Mucklemeg Mares Bumper. It marks the start of the track’s autumn jumps season, the discipline that earned Gowran its Grade 1 National Hunt classification, and draws a different crowd again: jumps racing regulars who follow the track through the winter months rather than the flat season’s summer visitors.

What to expect

The Mucklemeg Mares Bumper carries Listed status, a race confined to mares competing on the level rather than over obstacles, and often gives an early look at future chasers and hurdlers before they graduate to fences and flights. The Pat Walsh Memorial Hurdle honours a figure from Irish jumps racing and is run over hurdles as the card’s other feature. Between them, the two races anchor a full afternoon of National Hunt racing, supported by further hurdle and chase events. Gowran Park’s National Hunt fixtures tend to have a slightly rawer, more traditional feel than the summer flat meetings, with the same bars, food and betting facilities but a track that has hosted jumps racing at the highest level since 2006.

Getting there

Gowran sits on the N10 between Kilkenny city and Carlow town, around 15 minutes’ drive 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.

While you’re in Gowran

An October jumps meeting is a good excuse to see Gowran’s medieval church before the light fades in the afternoon. There is more to see in Gowran and across Co. Kilkenny.

Good to know

• Date: Friday, 2 October 2026
• Venue: Gowran Park Racecourse, Gowran
• Feature races: Pat Walsh Memorial Hurdle; Mucklemeg Mares Bumper (Listed)
• 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