Red Mills Race Day

Red Mills has been sponsoring races at Gowran Park for over forty years. The Goresbridge based company has had a long and successful association with their local racetrack ever since. Red Mills are experts in horse feeds and nutrition with over 100 years of experience in the business.

Red Mills Day takes place in the middle of February and features two big races, the Red Mills Chase and the Red Mills Trial Hurdle. Red Mills Day also features a fashion event with a dedicated style marquee with fashion shows and Best Dressed prizes. Guest judges have included Emily O’Donnell, Yvonne Connolly & Edward Hayden.

Red Mills Chase

The Red Mills Chase is a Grade 2 contest over 2 mile 4 furlongs however between 1997 and 2002 it was run over 3 miles. Rachael Blackmore is the last jockey to win in consecutive years on Monalee 2019 and Chris’s Dream 2020 both trained Henry de Bromhead. Notable winners include

  • 2018 Our Duke
  • 2015 Champagne Fever,
  • 2011 Rubi Light and in 2012
  • 2005 Rathgar Beau
  • 2004 Barrow Drive
  • 2000 Micko’s Dream

Micko’s Dream trained by Willie Mullins won the Goffs Thyestes Chase & the Red Mills Chase in the same year – 2000, ridden on both occasions by Jason Titley. World renowned flat trainer Jim Bolger trained Orbis to win in 1991 and was ridden by Charlie Swan.

Red Mills Trial Hurdle

The Red Mills Trial Hurdle is Grade 3 race over 2 mile race and seen as ideal preparation for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The previous winners reads like a who’s who of national hunt.

  • 2014 – Un Des Sceaux
  • 2011 – Dunguib
  • 2009 – Solwhit
  • 2005 – Hardy Eustace
  • 2001 – Youlneverwalkalone
  • 1998 – Theatreworld who also won in 1997
  • 1996 – Danoli

Conor O’Dwyer won it three years running from 200 to 2002 on Balla Sola, Youlneverwalkalone & Fadoudal Du Cochet. The last horse to win it on two consecutive years in Theatreworld trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Charlie Swan. The last jockey to win on consecutive years is Davy Russell on Luska Lad 2010 and Solwhit 2009.