Gowran Park all set for latest Ladies Day bonanza
The track's biggest meeting of the summer takes place this weekend
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Gowran Park is all set to welcome a bumper crowd on Ladies Day
Racegoers heading to Gowran Park on Saturday have been promised ‘high-octane action from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave’ as the track prepare to host their Ladies Day meet.
The Co Kilkenny venue’s highest-profile meet boasts a seven-race card, the feature being the Listed Marble City Stakes, and plenty more entertainment off the track.
Local TV Fashion Stylist Marietta Doran will be on hand to guest judge the best dressed prize, with the winner to receive a two-night stay with an evening meal in the Lyrath Estate Hotel, a €1,000 Gift Card to spend in MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre and a courtesy car for the weekend supplied by Bolands Carlow.
In addition, Co Wicklow’s up-and-coming motor racing star Max Hart, who competes on the TCR circuit, will be on hand to judge the inaugural best dressed man, while the team from Peter Mark salons will be on hand to offer free touch-ups.
With live music and DJ sets also part of the fun, it is set to be a highlight of the calendar and Gowran Park’s general manager Eddie Scally cannot wait to see it unfold.
“It’s our biggest flat meeting of the season, both attendance wise and prestige wise, it’s a really good day,” he said.
“From a racing perspective, you have a high class race on the card, so that really adds to the occasion.
“It’s a good card but it’s the action off the track that attracts the people from the area, that’s the reason they come in their droves.
“We have the same main sponsors of the event for the past 10 years now, over the years it has kept getting bigger and better. It’s a massive day for us.”
The track’s relationship with the day’s primary sponsors, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre and the Lyrath Estate Hotel, is entering its 11th year while Bolands Mazda Carlow have come on board for the latest instalment.
The social scene is at the heart of the day’s appeal but Scally hopes it turns plenty of attendees into more regular racegoers.
“It’s a Saturday in the middle of the summer, so our target audience is that groups of ladies getting together, social clubs getting together,” he said.
“We are very lucky, we are well supported. St Luke’s Hospice do a social day for all their nurses where they all come to the races.
“I would estimate about 30 per cent are the usual horse racing crowd who know the game and 70 per cent are transient customers who are coming in, you wouldn’t get them very often.
“For us, it’s about educating them, giving them a great day out and getting them coming back again.”
With that in mind, the track have roped in some expert assistance to add to the experience on the day.
“We are bringing in Barry Doyle from Champ.ie, who will preview all the races on a preview show for novice punters who might be coming racing for the first time,” Scally added.
“He will pop up three or four times on the big screen to explain things to people, such as how blinkers work, who the jockeys are, so the customers can come away having learned something about racing.
“It’s not just about the style or having a bit of craic or a bet, it’s about learning something by the time you leave as well.”
A crowd of around 3,500-5,000 is expected and though corporate hospitality is sold out, other packages are available.
To find out more and book your tickets, click here.