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Castlestone Holiday Homes is proud to mark its first anniversary by sponsoring the Castlestone Holiday Homes Pro/Am Flat Race at Punchestown Racecourse’s Summer in Town Race Day this Saturday, 6 June.

The sponsorship represents a special milestone for the growing holiday home company, whose journey began just one year ago with an important partnership that helped launch the business.

Castlestone Holiday Homes’ very first client was Punchestown Racecourse. During the 2025 Punchestown Festival, Castlestone provided accommodation solutions for trainers, stable staff and yard teams travelling to Ireland’s premier jump racing festival. That initial partnership played a pivotal role in establishing the business and demonstrated the growing demand for high-quality short-term accommodation in the Kildare region.

Since then, Castlestone Holiday Homes has developed a strong customer base among racegoers and visitors to the area, providing five-star luxury self-catering accommodation throughout County Kildare.

Speaking ahead of the race, Louise Rawlins Traynor, owner of Castlestone Holiday Homes, said:

“As we celebrate our first year in business, it is particularly meaningful to partner with another local business, Punchestown Racecourse. Punchestown was our very first client and played an important role in helping us establish our business at Castlestone Holiday Homes. The relationship has gone from strength to strength, and we are delighted to mark our anniversary by sponsoring a race at one of Ireland’s most iconic sporting venues.”

Conor O’Neill, CEO of Punchestown Racecourse, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Castlestone Holiday Homes as a race sponsor and to celebrate this important milestone with them. It has been a pleasure to watch their business grow over the past year, and their success is a great example of the strength of local enterprise in County Kildare. We value the partnership we have developed and look forward to continuing to work together in the years ahead.”

For more information, follow Castlestone Holiday Homes on social media: @CastlestoneHoliday

Website: www.castlestoneholiday.com

Contact & Address:

Louise Rawlins Traynor
+353 (0)87 706 0146
Castlestone Holiday Homes
Haynestown Farm
Naas, Co. Kildare
W91 X3DF

ARC, Punchestown and Race and Stay Announce Major Strategic Partnership to grow travel between the UK and Ireland, and enhance the Racing Guest Experience

Arena Racing Company (ARC), Punchestown Racecourse, and premier racing tour specialists Race and Stay are proud to announce a new strategic partnership designed to cross-promote world-class racing experiences across the UK and Ireland.

This venture connects the iconic Punchestown Racecourse with ARC’s extensive UK network of 16 racetracks, creating a seamless bridge for fans to enjoy premier events on both sides of the Irish Sea. From the electric atmosphere of the Punchestown Festival to major UK highlights at Chepstow, Doncaster, Newcastle, and Windsor, the initiative aims to drive attendances and promote racing tourism.

As the official experience partner, Race and Stay will provide fans with a comprehensive, “one-stop” booking service. Beyond simple admission, these curated packages include:

Phil Bell, Regional Director at ARC, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Punchestown and Race and Stay. By combining our 16 diverse venues with Ireland’s finest National Hunt venue, we are offering fans an unparalleled variety of racing, all supported by a premium travel experience.”

Conor O’Neil CEO at Punchestown, added: “This partnership is about making world-class racing more accessible. We look forward to welcoming more UK fans to the Punchestown Festival and seeing our local fans explore the fantastic venues within the ARC network.”

Martyn Pipe, CEO of Race and Stay, stated: “Our goal is to take the stress out of travel. By handling everything from arrival to departure, we allow fans to focus on the thrill of the races. We are excited to showcase the best of British and Irish racing through this initiative.”

Bookings for these exclusive experiences are now open. For more information and to secure your place, visit www.raceandstay.com.

About ARC Racecourses:

Arena Racing Company (‘ARC’) is Britain’s largest racing group, operating sixteen racecourses and five greyhound stadia across the country.

In 2025, ARC venues welcomed over 1,000,000 racegoers and hosted some of the highlights of the British horseracing season, including the Betfred St Leger Festival, the Coral Welsh Grand National, Jennings bet Midlands Grand National, Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Festival, All-Weather Championships Finals Day and the Berkshire Winter Million.

About Punchestown Racecourse:
Punchestown Racecourse is the home of Irish jump racing and the host of twenty fixtures each season culminating with the famous Punchestown Festival at the end of April. Under an hour from Dublin city centre and international airport, Punchestown is ideally located for visitors. Set in the foothills of the Dublin/Wicklow mountains the venue boasts 172 acres of racing ground and a unique traditional banks cross country course within a 400 acre estate. The racecourse is as famous for its wonderful hospitality across a collection of restaurants, bars and pavilions as it is for hosting the most prestigious jump racing on the sporting calendar.

About Race and Stay:
Race and Stay are Ireland’s largest racing tour specialists. Established in 2012 we have welcomed over 80,000 guests to Irish and International race meetings.  We provide guests with unique and exciting packages from 1 night to 10-night tours for all race meetings in Ireland and now, in association with ARC, the UK too.

 

Media Contact:
Martyn Pipe

info@raceandstay.com
+353 87 708 9685

TWENTY of the best jockeys across Ireland will swap saddles for runners on Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at Punchestown for the first ever Irish Ladbrokes Jockey Sprint.

This Wednesday some of the most successful names in racing will lace up for the inaugural Irish Ladbrokes Jockey Sprint Cup before the first race, featuring a stellar line-up including Patrick Mullins, Danny Mullins, Darragh O’Keefe, Brian Hayes and Aine O’Connor to name but a few.

Ladbrokes hosted the first ever UK Jockey Sprint at Ayr in September 2025 and since then Irish jockeys have been clamouring for their own edition to crown the fastest jumps jockey at a fitting Irish jumps course.

Jockeys were encouraged to join the race with Ladbrokes pledging €250 per jockey running to be donated to the Irish Injured Jockeys.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes commented: “We’ve all seen how fast these jockeys can go on horseback, but just how fast can they go on their own two legs across 200m? This cup would definitely hold pride of place in any jockey’s trophy cabinet and for a very worthy cause too.”

Janet Creighton, of Punchestown commented: “With €250 charity donation per athlete on the table it’s truly is a case of taking part that counts although knowing some of the jockeys in the line up it’s as much about winning on horseback or on foot! . Thank you to them and of course to Ladbrokes for this engaging initiative for a great cause. ”

The Ladbrokes Irish Jockey Sprint is due to take place at approx. 1.15pm on Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day – Wednesday 29th April.

Visit www.punchestown.com for ticket bookings and full event details.

 

Punchestown Festival Traffic Management Plan 2026

VIEW TRAFFIC PLAN HERE

VISIT ‘GETTING HERE’ INFO

 

📍 Location: Punchestown Racecourse W91 VCX4    📅 Dates: Tuesday 28 April – Saturday 2 May 2026

 

🚧 General Advice |  Traffic Management 🚧

It will be busy please allow extra time.

Peak times  2.00pm – 3.00pm (inbound) | 6.30pm – 7.30pm (outbound)

One Way System may be in operation at peak times.

Use public transport or shuttle services wherever possible – fast track service.

Follow Garda directions and event signage at all times.

Take note of where you parked with a photo on your phone.

 

🚍 Public Transport Options – https://punchestown.com/getting-here/

Please use shuttle Bus from Naas Town. We have trebled capacity.

€5 each way. Walk up service from 12.30pm. Every 15 minutes.

Pickup/drop-off: Poplar Square, Naas @ Lawlors Hotel and opposite Post Office south main street.

 

🚖 Taxis & Shuttles:

→ Enter via Main Gate From Watch House Cross South  or Dublin Road Gate via Beggars End North

→ Drop-off at designated areas Only

→ Exit via Ballymore Road or Walshestown / Balltreacy routes

Pick-Up

Must arrive before the second last race each day (6pm all except  7pm Friday)

 

🚌 Private Coaches:

→ Via R410 → Beggars End Gate

 

🛣️ Primary Travel Routes

  1. From Dublin / North (M1, N2, N3, N4)

M50 → N7 (Dublin/Limerick Road)

Exit 9 (Naas) → R410 (Blessington Road) → Punchestown

 

  1. From South Dublin

Option A: N81 → Blessington → R410

Option B: N81 → Ballymore Eustace → R411 → Punchestown

 

  1. From South East (M9, N9, N78, N80)

Via Carlow/Athy → Kilcullen → Naas Road

At Mylerstown Cross → right onto L2023 → Punchestown

Alternative Route:

M9 → Exit 10 (Naas)

→ Divert at Chadwick’s → South Ring Road → R411

 

  1. From South / South West (N7 / M7)

Exit 11 (Newbridge) → Kilcullen → follow Route 3

 

  1. Additional South East Route

N81 → Ballymore Eustace → R411 → follow signage

 

 

 

Friday-Only Traffic Restrictions 

 

⚠️ Friday-Only Traffic Restrictions

🚖🚌 Pick-Ups (Friday)

All buses, taxis and pick-up vehicles must be on-site before the second last race 6pm  (7pm Friday)

🚪 Friday Entry Routes for Pick-Ups (after 6pm)

Ballymore Eustace Road Entrance  &  Walshestown Quarry Road  / Balltreacy Entrance

 

Buses and large vehicles cannot turn right at Mylerstown Cross

Must instead → Continue to Naas → use South Ring Road (R447)

 

🚫 Parking Restrictions

No parking allowed on approach roads / Illegally parked vehicles will be towed

 

🚌 Coaches / Buses

Enter via R410 (Blessington Road)

Exit via R411 (Ballymore Eustace Road)

One-way system may apply

 

🚧 Local Access Restrictions

No access from Mullacash Cross → Watch House Cross during peak exit times

Diversions via Killashee → Naas

Some temporary disruption to local residents expected

Punchestown Festival Fully Sponsored with Record Prize Fund

 

Media Release, Thursday 9th April 2026: Punchestown Racecourse today announced a major new agreement as the Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle completes the sponsorship line-up at the highly anticipated Festival in just three weeks time.

Taking place on Tuesday 28th April, the €125,000 Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle will raise the grade one curtain at the festival that famously boasts 12 of the top drawer contests across a 40 race programme with a record €3.6 million prize fund. The PRL Champion Novice Hurdle has an all-star roll of honour with Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Moscow Flyer featuring.

This will be a race day sponsorship debut for PRL who deliver a full 360 degree outsourced service specialising in logistics management, freight, sales and marketing. Based in Rathcoole, this family owned business has been operating for over 90 years.

Executive Chairman at PRL, Michael Brannigan said “We are delighted to play our part in this well-loved festival. The sponsorship fosters community spirit and highlights PRL’s active engagement in the local area”.

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown CEO welcomed PRL saying: “We are so pleased to welcome PRL to the Punchestown Festival for a number of reasons. A local, long established, family-owned company stepping up as grade one sponsor is exactly the community ethos we share. Furthermore, to complete the sponsorship folio with an major announcement like this is a super endorsement for festival as a commercial event. We very much look forward to welcoming Michael Brannigan, his guests and team to Punchestown”.

The 2026 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May. An award winning social and sporting highlight that attracts 120,000 attendees, the festival is one of Ireland’s largest corporate events with over 19,500 hospitality guests representing over 900 companies from both Ireland and the UK. The diverse demographic of urban, rural, sporting, social, and business all gathering to celebrate and enjoy the famous atmosphere has earned Punchestown a ‘not-to-be-missed’  reputation.

Editor Notes:

PRL is an Irish & UK company specialising in logistics management, freight, sales and marketing. PRL stands for partnership, reliability and leadership and we believe in embodying these values amongst customers, colleagues and the local community.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Emer Woodfull, PRL –  emer.woodfull@prl.ie
Shona Dreaper, Punchestown Racecourse – sdreaper@punchestown.com

Punchestown Racecourse is delighted to confirm the return of the Up The Yard Challenge Race for Irish stable and stud staff on bank holiday Monday, 2nd February 2026. Now firmly established since its launch in 2017, the race continues to shine a spotlight on the skilled riders who form the backbone of the racing and breeding industries.

The initiative was created to give yard and stud staff, many of whom ride out daily and play a crucial role in the sport, the chance to compete at the home of Irish jumps.

Punchestown Sponsorship Manager and event organiser Leona Hughes said:
“Anyone working in this industry knows the standard of riding talent that exists in yards and studs across the country. These riders are up with the dawn, producing young horses, and keeping the whole operation moving. This race is about giving them their moment on a major stage. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the buzz of the Punchestown straight with a crowd behind you, now is the time to get your name in.”

The 2026 running will take place after the final official race and will be contested over approximately one mile and seven furlongs. Yards and studs nationwide are invited to submit nominations by Monday 15th December 2025.

What’s New for 2026?

Rider Criteria & Nominations

Full List Of Riders:

Name Nominating Yard
1 Marchel De Courcey Philip Rothwell
2 Shane Costello Norman Lee
3 Abbie Clancy Marie Harding
4 Aaron Doyle Liam O’Brien
5 Lexie Kenrick Martin Brassil
6 Rebecca Stack Sonny Carey
7 Jack Jaswant Singh Eamon Delaney
8 Fergus Gallagher Eddie & Patrick Harty
9 Katie Walsh Terence O’Brien
10 Paul Coady David Harry Kelly
11 Cait Dooley Liam Cusack
12 Sophie McDonnell Mark Molloy
13 Hannah Rafferty Dick Brabazon
14 Natalia Kubacka Willie Mullins
15 Ciara Maguire Conor O’Dwyer
16 Simona Nevidalova Paul Nolan

 

SBK, the sportsbook powered by the Smarkets exchange, has upgraded its partnership with Punchestown Racecourse by becoming the Title Sponsor of SBK Festival Finale Day on Saturday 3rd May 2025.

Previously the betting partner for Festival Saturday in 2024, SBK is now the proud Title Sponsor of this exciting day at the 2025 Punchestown Festival. In addition to their title sponsorship, SBK has upgraded their race sponsorship, moving from the Handicap Chase to the GR1 SBK Irish EBF Champion Mares Hurdle. With past champions like Apple’s Jade, Annie Power, and most recently, Lossiemouth etching their names into history, the GR1 SBK Irish EBF Champion Mares Hurdle at the 2025 Punchestown Festival promises another thrilling contest among the finest mares in jumps racing.

“We’re excited to be expanding our involvement with Punchestown for the 2025 Festival, and we’re especially thrilled to be the Title Sponsor of Festival Finale Day,” said Adam Baylis, Director of Marketing at SBK. “Festival Saturday is always one of the busiest and most vibrant days of the Punchestown Festival, and we’re looking forward to playing a key role in what is not only a great sporting occasion but also a fantastic social event for friends, locals, and racing enthusiasts. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the end of the Festival.”

SBK’s Growing Partnership with Punchestown

Since their first involvement with Punchestown in the 2023/2024 jumps season, SBK has strengthened its partnership with the racecourse. This year, SBK has enhanced its role with the Title Sponsorship of Festival Saturday and their upgraded sponsorship of the GR1 SBK Irish EBF Champion Mares Hurdle, marking a significant milestone in their continued support of Irish racing.

Leona Hughes, Sponsorship at Punchestown, commented, “We are delighted to welcome SBK as the Title Sponsor for Festival Finale Day. Festival Saturday is one of the highest-attended days of the week, offering an electric atmosphere that combines top-class racing with a fantastic social occasion. It’s a day when locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the racing and festivities, and we’re thrilled to have SBK involved in such a prominent way.”

About the 2025 Punchestown Festival

The 2025 Punchestown Festival, taking place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May, promises to be the highlight of the Irish jumps racing season, attracting over 100,000 attendees across the five days. Festival Saturday on 3rd May is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, packed enclosures, and thrilling racing, making it a must-attend occasion for both racing fans and social groups alike. With a fantastic mix of top-tier racing, entertainment, and the chance to enjoy a great day out with friends, it’s the perfect grand finale to the Punchestown Festival.

Tickets for the 2025 Punchestown Festival are now available, starting at just €30. The first race on Festival Saturday is scheduled to begin at 2.30pm (subject to minor changes). For more information on tickets, hospitality, and event details, visit https://punchestown.com/festival-2025/

ENDS

About SBK
SBK is a sportsbook powered by the Smarkets exchange, offering a cutting-edge platform for sports betting. With a focus on industry leading odds, SBK provides users with a seamless and exciting experience for both major and niche sports markets. For more information, visit www.betsbk.com.

 

Media Release Tuesday 25th March 2025:  Punchestown Racecourse is proud to announce the enhancement of its partnership with QuinnBet for the 2025 Punchestown Festival, where they are the Official Betting Partner on Boodles Champion Hurdle Day, Friday 2nd May 2025.

Having successfully sponsored the QuinnBet Grand National Trial for the past three years, QuinnBet is excited to build on this existing relationship by expanding its involvement at one of Ireland’s most prestigious racing events. As part of this enhanced partnership, QuinnBet will also sponsor the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase, one of the key races of Festival Friday.

This two and a half mile chase has been a happy hunting ground for the dual Champion trainer Willie Mullins with quality winners such as Kemboy who landed the race in 2018 before returning for that famous Punchestown Gold Cup victory the following year that saw history making jockey Ruby Walsh wave goodbye to the crowd and his race riding career as he crossed the line.

Niall McPartland, Head of Sponsorship & Commercial at QuinnBet, said: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Punchestown over the past few years, and we’re thrilled to continue building on this at the 2025 Punchestown Festival. As Official Betting Partner for Festival Friday, we’re excited to be involved in such a key part of the event, especially with our sponsorship of the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase. Our partnership with Punchestown has allowed us to connect with passionate racing fans, and we look forward to another thrilling day of racing.”

A Partnership That Grows Stronger Every Year

Since first partnering with Punchestown, QuinnBet has been dedicated to supporting Irish racing, bringing its expertise and passion for the sport to one of the premier festivals in the racing calendar. The partnership continues to flourish as both parties work closely to enhance the experience for fans, competitors, and the broader racing community.

“QuinnBet has been a valued partner of Punchestown for a number of years, and we’re excited to have them on board as Official Betting Partner for Festival Friday in 2025,” said Leona Hughes, Sponsorship at Punchestown. “Their commitment to our races and their ongoing support of Punchestown is invaluable, and we’re excited to continue growing our partnership. Festival Friday is set to be an exciting day of racing, and we’re delighted that QuinnBet will be part of that in such a significant way.”

About the 2025 Punchestown Festival

The 2025 Punchestown Festival, running from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May, promises to be an unforgettable celebration of world-class racing. Festival Friday, 2nd May 2025, is sure to be a highlight, with top-tier races and a fantastic atmosphere that attracts both Irish and international racing fans.

Tickets for the 2025 Punchestown Festival are now available, starting at just €30. The first race on Festival Friday is scheduled to begin at 3.40pm (subject to minor changes). For more information on tickets, hospitality, and event details, visit https://punchestown.com/festival-2025/

ENDS

About QuinnBet
Founded in 2017, QuinnBet has quickly become a leading name in the iGaming industry, providing a licensed online sports betting and casino platform for customers across the UK and Ireland. For more information, visit www.quinnbet.com.

For further details, please contact:
Manuela Bologheanu
Head of Brand and PR, QuinnBet
Email: manuela.bologheanu@quinnbet.com

 

Saturday 8th February 2025: As we prepare for the 2025 QuinnBet Grand National Trial, Punchestown Racecourse and QuinnBet are excited to reflect on the significant advancements made in the previous year. In 2024, the race underwent a major transformation, with a substantial increase in its prize fund to €100,000 and the coveted promotion to Listed status—a move that has solidified the race’s position as a premier event in the Irish Jumps Racing calendar.

The 2025 edition of the QuinnBet Grand National Trial, set to take place at Punchestown on Sunday 16th February, will continue to benefit from these enhancements. The race remains the marquee event of a high-caliber seven-race card, and the increased prize money and upgraded status have only added to its importance as a key preparation race for both the Irish and UK Grand Nationals.

In 2024, under the third year of its sponsorship agreement, the QuinnBet Grand National Trial has drawn a competitive field, highlighting the significance of the event. Two former winners are among this year’s exciting entries, with the 2024 victor Where It All Began and 2023 winner Coko Beach leading the charge in a competitive field of 32. Their inclusion adds a thrilling element of familiarity and anticipation to this year’s contest, reminding us of the race’s history and its ability to attract top-class talent.

For those seeking an exciting each-way opportunity on Easter Monday, look no further than this time-honoured trial. Known for its ability to unearth future stars, the QuinnBet-sponsored Trial has long been regarded as the perfect starting point for those eyeing bigger targets down the line. In 2024, it proved to be a crucial piece of the puzzle, with three of the top six finishers emerging from this prestigious event, reinforcing its status as an invaluable indicator of form and potential.

Reflecting on last year’s success, Niall McPartland, QuinnBet’s Head of Sponsorship & Commercial, commented, “We were delighted to see the QuinnBet Grand National Trial elevated to Listed status and the increased prize fund bringing in such a strong field in 2024. As we enter the third year of our partnership, we are proud to continue supporting Punchestown, the heart of Irish jumps racing. We look forward to another thrilling renewal and extend our thanks to Horse Racing Ireland and Leona Hughes for their invaluable support.”

Leona Hughes, Sponsorship at Punchestown, also shared her excitement: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside QuinnBet as we’ve watched this race flourish. The €100,000 prize fund and Listed status have truly elevated the event, and we are eager to build on last year’s success. We look forward to welcoming a lovely crowd for what promises to be an unforgettable day of racing.”

Tickets for the 2025 event are now available, starting at just €15. The first race is set to begin at 2.10pm (subject to minor changes). For more information on tickets, hospitality, and event details, visit www.punchestown.com.

ENDS

About QuinnBet

Founded in 2017, QuinnBet has swiftly established itself as a major player in the iGaming sector, providing a licensed online sports betting and casino platform for customers across the UK and Ireland. For more information, visit www.quinnbet.com.

For further details, please contact:
Manuela Bologheanu
Head of Brand and PR, QuinnBet
Email: Manuela.bologheanu@quinnbet.com

Punchestown is host to twenty fixtures across 2023 to include;

The Punchestown Festival – Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 April 2023

Welcome Back Jumps – Tuesday 10 & Wednesday 11 October 2023

The Punchestown Winter Festival – Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 November 2023

View the full 2023 Fixture List HERE.