The 2017 Punchestown Festival concluded today with the AES Family Day. Despite the damp start to the morning, it dried up before racing and young racegoers came in their droves to the Kildare venue bringing the total attendance for the week to a record breaking 122,557.
Mullins reigns supreme and retains his Champion National Hunt Trainers Title
The battle of the festival was without question the dual between Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott for the 2016/2017 National Hunt Champion Trainer Title.
2016/17 National Hunt Champions:
Willie Mullins – Champion Trainer
Rachael Blackmore – Champion Conditional Rider
Ruby Walsh – Champion Jockey
Gigginstown House Stud - Champion Owner
Nina Carberry – Leading Lady Amateur Rider (Mary Hyde Perpetual Cup)
Jamie Codd – Champion Amateur Jockey (won by 1 winner)
The Bollinger Best Dressed Lady
Bollinger’s philosophy that “Life Can Be Perfect”, and the family-owned Champagne House stays true to form with this bespoke prize created especially for the winner of Ireland’s most coveted fashion title. The 2017 Bollinger Best Dressed Lady at Punchestown wins a VIP trip for two taking in the Bollinger Estate, Reims and Paris complete with private chauffeur, Michelin-starred dining and luxury accommodation, not to mention a year’s supply of Bollinger to top it all off!
AES Family Day – Schools Art Competition
Twelve year old Aibhe Graham who is in 6th class in Ballymore Eustace won the AES Art Competition.
Quote:
Dick O’Sullivan, General Manager at Punchestown Racecourse said “I am over the moon with this result, the racing was absolutely superb and the new facilities were really well received. I was hoping for 120,000 and when I saw the rain this morning I thought oh my God and here we are with not one but two all-time records in the mix, the highest attendance on any one day at a festival here and the greatest attendance we have ever had at the festival and it is totally down to the best team you could have ever put together.”
2017 – 34,370
2016 – 30,035
Up 4,335
2017 – 122,557
2016 – 114,438
Up 8,019
Won by: Apple’s Jade
Trained by: Gordon Elliott
Ridden by: Bryan Cooper
Won by: Bapaume
Trained by: Willie Mullins
Ridden by: Ruby Walsh
