Thyestes Chase
History
The race has been won by three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Arkle, Irish Grand National & Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Flyingbolt and Aintree Grand National winners Hedgehunter, Numbersixvalverde and Nick Rockett. The race takes its name from the racehorse, Thyestes, named after a figure from Greek mythology. Thyestes, by The Tetrarch, 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.
Records
Most successful horse since 1988 :
- Wylde Hide – 1995, 1996
- Bob Treacy – 1999, 2001
- Priests Leap- 2008, 2009
- On His Own – 2012, 2014
- David Casey – This Is Serious, Hedgehunter, On His Own
- Paul Townend – On His Own, Carefully Selected , Nick Rockett
- Willie Mullins – Micko's Dream, Hedgehunter, Homer Wells, On His Own, Djakadam, Invitation Only, Total Recall, Carefully Selected, Nick Rockett