Matchbook 50/50 Series Returns to Punchestown Following Trail Blazing Launch Season
New for 2026/2027 – Expanded qualification opportunities with three additional races.
Media Release Wednesday 7th October: The Matchbook 50/50 Series returns to Punchestown for a second year, with an expanded programme offering more opportunities for horses to qualify in an initiative that unearthed a top quality crop of contenders.
The Matchbook Series, which rewards qualifying horses with the chance to compete for a €50,000 bonus at the Punchestown Festival, proved a major success in its first season, with qualifiers going on to enjoy winning form at the highest level throughout the campaign. The Matchbook 50/50 Series offers a €50,000 bonus to the connections of the first horse that wins a designated qualifier and subsequently wins a Grade 1 at the 2027 Punchestown Festival. If the bonus is won, Matchbook will also pay out €50,000 in free bets to Matchbook users.
Among the standout stories was Zanoosh, who came closest to securing the €50,000 bonus when finishing second at the Punchestown Festival in the grade one Channor Group Hurdle. Her upward trajectory through the season launched with her qualifier win in December and was swiftly followed up with four victories on the bounce including grade one success at Fairyhouse last Easter. subsequent performance at the Festival underlined the quality of the horses taking part and showcased the opportunities the Matchbook 50/50 Series can create.
Zanoosh emerged as the success story of the inaugural series but fellow qualifiers The Passing Wife and Koktail Brut, further underlined the quality of horse and demonstrated exactly what the initiative is designed to achieve — give connections the opportunity to progress throughout the season with a generous target to aim for on one of the biggest stages, The Punchestown Festival.
Ronan McDonagh, CEO Matchbook, said: “When it comes to the Matchbook 50/50 Series, our measure of success was just how close we came to having to pay out when Zanoosh was challenging right down to the final hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last year!
This is exactly what this Series was created to do. Encourage top quality horses to qualify and target an entire campaign at the home of Irish jump racing. Following the success of year one, the series returns with three additional opportunities to qualify, giving more owners and trainers 15 chances to get involved”.
With more routes into the series, enhancements to the format and a high-quality field of potential qualifiers, the second year of the Matchbook 50/50 Series promises to build on an impressive first chapter.
The ultimate goal remains the same, to provide connections with the opportunity to turn a qualifying success into a place on the Punchestown Festival stage — and a shot at the €50,000 bonus.
ENDS
The 2026/2027 Matchbook 50/50 Punchestown Qualifiers:
14-Oct-26
Maiden Hurdle*
4yo Only Flat Race*
09-Nov-26
3YO Maiden Hurdle*
Mares Maiden Hurdle*
Maiden Hurdle*
22-Nov-26
GR2 Craddockstown Chase (RTÉ Coverage)
08-Dec-26
Maiden Hurdle *
18-Jan-27
4yo Only Maiden Hurdle *
4yo+ Maiden Hurdle *
4yo+ Maiden Hurdle *
19-Jan-27
4YO Only Maiden Hurdle*
Mares Maiden Hurdle*
C&G Maiden Hurdle*
24-Feb-27
Maiden Hurdle *
Mares Maiden Hurdle*
Flat Race*
TRM’s Equine Nutrition ‘Saddled In Style’ Series
Returns to Punchestown for Second Year
*New for 2026/2027*
Introducing a yard size tiered system
Media Release, Tuesday 6th October: Punchestown Racecourse and TRM Equine Nutrition are delighted to announce the return of the ‘Saddled In Style’ Best Turned-Out Series for a second season, continuing a partnership that celebrates the skill, dedication and professionalism of Ireland’s stable staff.
Following a successful inaugural running, the TRM ‘Saddled In Style’ Series will once again run throughout the Punchestown season, getting underway on Tuesday 13th October and culminating next June at the Summer In Town weekend curtain closer.
The series shines a spotlight on the teams behind the scenes who play such an important role in the preparation and presentation of racehorses. Points are awarded for Best Turned-Out winners throughout the Punchestown season, with yards accumulating points towards the overall series title. To provide a more level playing field a new tiered system categorised on the number of horses in training in each yard will be implemented for the upcoming season.
With the new system comes a new prize offering and the TRM team have generously put together the following category prizes:
- A breakfast morning and TRM merchandise for each yard,
- TRM vouchers for each tier: €1,000 for Tier 1, €750 for Tier 2, and €500 for Tier 3.
The inaugural running of the series proved a huge success, with the Gordon Elliott team crowned the 2025/26 ‘Saddled In Style’ champions following a season-long battle for points.
The winning yard was rewarded for the consistency and high standards demonstrated by its stable team throughout the campaign, with TRM providing a TRM Voucher worth €1,000, TRM-branded gear and a celebratory breakfast morning for the yard.
The second season will build on that success, with the series once again providing an opportunity to recognise stable staff across Punchestown’s fixtures, including the prestigious Punchestown Festival.
Enda Kelly, TRM Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“We are delighted to be teaming up once again with Punchestown where, central to the campaign is the Saddled In Style Series that recognises the people whose hard work often happens away from the spotlight.
Beyond that, our sponsorship of a race during the winter campaign along with the involvement with the TRM Kildare Pony Club at the Festival is a great occasion to be part of. That is grass roots stuff and the kids along with their families are the equestrian community of the future so it’s something we love to support.”
Leona Hughes, Punchestown Sponsorship, said:
“The entire TRM involvement was a great addition to the Punchestown campaign and we are excited to build on that even more this season. These initiatives often take a couple of seasons to really get into their stride and the TRM team bring great energy and professionalism, so we are already off to a flying start”.
TRM’s association with Punchestown reflects the company’s long-standing connection to Irish racing. Established in Ireland more than 35 years ago, TRM has grown into a global equine nutrition and healthcare brand trusted in more than 90 countries, while retaining its roots in County Kildare.
The partnership with Punchestown provides a natural platform for TRM to support the sport and the people who work within it, while highlighting the importance of horse care, preparation and presentation at every level.
The TRM Saddled In Style Best Turned Out Series will run throughout the 2026/27 Punchestown season, with the overall series champion to be crowned at the end of the campaign.
ENDS
Lossiemouth is crowned the Queen of Hurdling on Ladies Day at Punchestown!
Top Class Racing – Record Crowds – Sensational Style
The Boodles Champion Hurdle was won today by Lossiemouth, making it a career tally of 11 Grade 1’s for the popular grey mare, as she justified her short-priced favouritism in the hands of jockey Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins and proud owners Susannah and Rich Ricci.
The win completed an incredible Irish and English trio for jockey Paul Townend who won the Champion Chase, Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle in Ireland (Punchestown) and England (Cheltenham) this year with the English Grand National (Aintree) serving almost as the cheery on top in a tremendous season of all seasons for the Cork man.
Longford lass Oniesa Owen was crowned the 2026 Bolling Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Wearing Italian label Ter et Bantine top and coat, teamed with Roisin Linnane trousers, Alaia shoes, a hat by Wendy Louise and a classic Chanel bag she wowed the judging panel led by head judge Jess Colivet and Bollinger representative Arthur Robert.
Another milestone today was jockey Mark Walsh recording his 900th career win at Punchestown. The Kildare native commented that he could not have wished for a better place to record his 900th winner as a jockey than Punchestown and at the Punchestown Festival.
43,572 attended the Punchestown Festival today compared with 42,138 on the corresponding day last year.
The Punchestown Festival continues tomorrow with the first race of an eight races commencing at 2.30pm. Typically, a very busy yet more casual race day experience, the festival finale is Family Day at the County Kildare venue. Offering top class racing, a jam-packed off track entertainment programme, the crowning of this seasons National Hunt Champions and the annual Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity Race, there is plenty to look forward to. All children under 14 go free when accompanied by an adult, for all details and tickets visit punchestown.com.
Ireland’s most prestigious style competition, The Bollinger Best Dressed grand finale took place at Punchestown this afternoon.
Longford woman Oniesa Owens was crowned the 2026 Bollinger Best Dressed Lady at the Punchestown Festival today. Her prize, an exclusive money can’t buy trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate. Her travel companion already confirmed! Oniesa will be bringing her twin sister Aishling on this trip of a lifetime.
Wearing a very chic and elegant look, her navy Ter et Bantine fur effect coat and top were purchased from Fabiani in Longford last year for a wedding. She teamed them with navy barrel leg trousers by Roisin Linnane. Her hat by Wendy Louise was borrowed for the day and her striking red heels are by Alaia and classic Chanel bag were her own.
An emotional winner, Oniesa Owens commented “It just feels amazing. I love fashion, I love style, it goes back generations to my own grandmother in Country Leitrim, I’m just so delighted!”
Oniesa has won the ‘money can’t buy’ trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate, a prize she is set to share with her identical twin sister Aishling, who also loves fashion. Their prize includes flights to Paris, a luxury stay at five star hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, an exclusive by invitation experience at Champagne Bollinger including private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region eims, plus a year’s supply of Bollinger.
Head judge Jess Colivet, described Oniesa’s winning look, she said “It was just an outstanding look from top to toe, completely polished, very curated, effortlessly elegant and very chic. She cleverly brought in that pop of red shoe into the look complemented by a gorgeous red lip, she borrowed the hat and she was very appropriate for racing. We just loved her energy, you could tell she was so comfortable and it was a unanimous decision.”
Not be forgotten the men, thanks to Louis Copeland who sponsored a prize for the Best Dressed Man today also. Local man, Daire Cullen won wearing a beautiful Tuscany green suit by Suits Supply, a Kennedy McSharry hat, Mr. Jenks pocket square, a tie by Ferragamo and shoes from Churches. Daire said “I’m absolutely over the moon, delighted, humbled and proud. My wife was actually a finalist here on Wednesday, so I’m thrilled to be keeping up with the family! We live locally and have been coming to Punchestown religiously for the last 10 years, we wouldn’t miss it!”
The Punchestown Festival continues tomorrow with gates open from 12 noon and the first race of a seven race card starts at 2.30pm. Typically, a very busy yet more casual raceday experience, it’s Family Day at the County Kildare venue. Offering top class racing, a jam-packed off track entertainment programme, the crowning of this seasons National Hunt Champions and the annual Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity Race, there is plenty to look forward to. All children under 14 go free when accompanied by an adult, for all details and tickets visit punchestown.com.
An exciting eight race card was enjoyed by 19,548 patrons at the Punchestown Festival today.
The feature contest, the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle saw Bob Olinger come out on top for owner Brian Acheson, trainer Henry de Bromhead and jockey Darragh O’Keeffe.
The win completed a treble on the card for in-form jockey Darragh O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe has narrowed the gap to three (102-99) behind Jack Kennedy in the jump jockeys’ championship which will make the next two days very exciting indeed.
County Wexford Fashion Designer, Julie Caulfield won the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition today wearing her own 40’s and 50’s inspired design. She teamed it with a boater style hat by Galway Milliner Catriona King Designs and customised her bag with dead stock fabric from last season’s collection. She is fast-tracked to the grand finale tomorrow when the competition off the track will peak in the Bollinger Garden as the competition kicks off at 4.30pm.
There were 19,548 in attendance today compared with 20,228 on the corresponding day last year however, accumulatively the festival is ahead in the numbers game going into Ladies Day and Family Day. Traditionally, Friday and Saturday are the busiest days of the festival in recent years.
Tomorrow, (Friday) the first of an eight racecard goes to post at the later time of 3.40pm, featuring the Boodles Champion Hurdle at 6.40pm for which 7 runners are declared. Patrons are encouraged to come racing early and stay late on Ladies Day, the social highlight of the season. For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.
Press Release: Thursday, April 30 2026
For Immediate Release
Irish Designer wows the Bollinger Best Dressed judges at Punchestown today!
Wexford Fashion Designer, Julie Caulfield has won the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition today. A regular at the Punchestown Festival, Julie always opts to wear her own designs to enjoy the fashion, racing and social scene at the County Kildare venue.
Donning a power blue beautifully textured two-piece from her own collection, a boater style custom made hat by Catriona King Designs and a bag which she cleverly covered in dead stock material, Julie was quickly identified as a firm favourite in the Bollinger best dressed competition today.
Guest Judge, Niamh Devereux, Acting Editor of Irish Country Magazine said “She really stood out to me from early doors. Irish designed from head to toe. It was just the most exquisite, dainty, beautiful look and it was a total show-stopper.”
In keeping with the theme “something old, something new…” Julie completed her look with shoes she borrowed from a friend, Dylan Oaks earrings she won in a goodie bag previously and her sister’s bracelet, which she was terrified she would lose!
Describing the inspiration for the look, Julie Caulfield said “I love the structured style of the 40’s and 50’s. I think they just knew how to dress women back then – bringing in the waist of everything but with that structure of the top so I loved designing and wearing it today because it is so structured at the top yet so floaty and romantic at the bottom, I’m delighted with the win and thrilled the judges loved it too!”
Head judge Jess Colivet said, “Julie Caulfield is an absolute vision today in powder blue and from the moment we saw her, she was the one everyone had to beat. Our decision was unanimous and we are delighted to see her fast tracked through to tomorrow’s grand finale, she absolutely deserves it.”
Remarkably, the best dressed final line up included five ladies and one man today, a wild card introduced at the judges’ request, Jess explained “The standard among the men was incredibly high, we saw some truly exceptional looks. But there was one gentleman who was simply outstanding, and we couldn’t let that moment pass. His tailoring was impeccable, his style absolutely immaculate just really, truly stunning. We weren’t willing to take a place away from any of the women on stage, so instead we made the decision to add Raymond Gilbourne in as our wild card and he looks amazing up there. It was absolutely the right decision.”
Widely regarded as Ireland’s most prestigious style competition, The Bollinger Best Dressed competition takes place across the first four days of the festival from Tuesday 28th April to the final on Friday 1st May inclusive. Today’s winner, Louisa Murphy has been fast-tracked to the grand finale on Friday when the overall Bollinger Best Dressed Winner for 2026 will receive a ‘money can’t buy’ trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate. The overall prize includes flights to Paris, 5* Hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, an exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience including private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region Reims plus a year’s supply of Bollinger.
ENDS.
For Further Information Contact:
Carey Ann Lordan, Red PR
M: 087 9270730 E: clordan@redpr.ie T: 052 6184343
Shona Dreaper, Punchestown
T: 045 897704 E: sdreaper@punchestown.com
Editors Notes:
Pics attached | No repo fee (Michael Chester / Shelley O’Rourke)
PIC Caption Suggestion: “Fashion Designer, Julie Caulfield wins Bollinger Best Dressed Competition at the Punchestown Festival Today”
Olivia Clayton from Worcester in the UK was deemed the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival today. Head judge Jess Colivet was joined by the ‘In the Edit’ duo Hayley Nolan and Carol StJohn and Marietta Doran. Together with a dedicated team of fashion scouts, they scoured the enclosures of the packed County Kildare venue to find the Bollinger Best Dressed on Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup Day.
An avid racegoer and regular at Cheltenham, it proved to be her lucky day on her first visit to Punchestown. Olivia embraced a green look, with her outfit inspired by a tree in her mother’s garden. Unable to find a hat she liked, she created her own headpiece, starting with a base and adding silk cream and green hydrangea flowers to reflect the garden theme.
Olivia Clayton commented on her win, “Amazing, honestly I feel so lucky not only just to be a finalist but just to be on the top ones it’s such an honour. The Irish girls really bring their absolute best so it’s a privilege. Thank you very much.”
Hayley Nolan from In the Edit shared, “It was actually a standout look. As soon as we saw her, she was sitting down, her amazing hat just caught her eye. And it turns out she actually made it herself, which I think is amazing”. Carol StJohn added “and then when she stood up, she’s wearing a gorgeous green suit and the colour just popped. The whole look was so well polished and put together. Brilliant.”
Jess Colivet commented “Olivia brought a really fresh contemporary perspective and it was very fashion forward, she wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries. There was a real sense of modern style from her look and I just love the fact that she made the headpiece herself. I love the tailoring. When I looked really closely at the tailoring of the print it just stood out and she wore her look with such great confidence and what a gracious winner.
The Bollinger Best Dressed competition will take place again tomorrow (Thursday) with the grand finale on Ladies Day, Friday 01 May. Today’s daily winner, Olivia Clayton has been officially fast-tracked straight to Friday’s final, when the overall Bollinger Best Dressed Winner for 2026 will be revealed. Rest assured the competition in the fashion stakes will be as competitive as the on track action! The winner will enjoy a ‘money can’t buy trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate’. The overall prize includes flights to Paris, 5* Hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, an exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience including an invitation only private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region Reims plus a year’s supply of Bollinger.
A record Gold Cup day crowd of 26,432 attended the Punchestown Festival today. The feature race of the day, the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, went to Gaelic Warrior in the hands of Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins, backing up his Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in fine style.
Olivia Clayton from Worcester in the UK enjoyed her first visit to the Punchestown Festival when she was chosen as the daily winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition. Olivia embraced a striking green look, with her outfit inspired by a tree in her mother’s garden. She impressed judges and attendees alike with her impeccably tailored style and handmade headpiece.
Attendance figures were significantly up on 2025, with 26,432 at Punchestown today compared to 23,285 on the corresponding day last year.
The action continues tomorrow (Thursday), with the first race going to post at 2.30pm. Gates open from noon, with patrons encouraged to arrive early to soak up the atmosphere. The feature on the card is the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle Grade 1 contest, going to post at 6.05pm.
Teahupoo leads the way in wide‑open Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle
Teahupoo is the 15/8 favourite to make it three in a row in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle, according to the sponsor.
Ladbrokes say the market is shaping up to be one of the most open renewals in recent years.
Bob Olinger heads the list of challengers at 11/4, with Kawaboomga close behind at 4/1. Honesty Policy is priced at 9/2, while Jimmy Du Seuil is a 9/1 chance.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Teahupoo will be hard to beat if he bounces back to his best but this is shaping up to be one of the most competitive renewals we’ve seen in years. Bob Olinger and Kawaboomga are both attracting plenty of support, and with several live contenders close behind, it’s a wide‑open market.”
**Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle
15/8 Teahupoo, 11/4 Bob Olinger, 4/1 Kawaboomga, 9/2 Honesty Policy, 9/1 Jimmy Du Seuil, 33/1 bar
++ends++
Almost 18,000 attendees enjoyed a glorious start to the opening leg of the five-day festival at Punchestown Racecourse today. The great and the good of National Hunt Racing from both sides of the Irish sea went head-to-head on the track, while social racegoers enjoyed the glorious sunshine and soaked up the electric atmosphere.
An exciting seven race card featuring no less than 3 grade ones and the first day of the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition, ensured the festival opener gave punters a great taste of what’s in store for the rest of the week at the County Kildare Venue.
Eachtotheirown did the business for Connell, O’Driscoll and Flanagan in the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle. The impressive winner benefited from a brilliant front-running ride by Seán Flanagan for Nurney based owner and trainer Barry Connell and co-owner Tim O’Driscoll.
Louisa Murphy from Tramore enjoyed a winning visit to the Punchestown Festival when she was chosen as the daily winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition. Having really embraced the theme of the competition she rented her bag, got her dress on vinted and wore her favourite ‘go with everything gold heels’. Louisa awed the judges and attendees with her impeccable style and the story of the lengths she went to curate this look which included hunting down a headpiece all the way from Melbourne and her recent engagement too!
Attendance figure were slightly up on 2025 with 17,923 at Punchestown today in comparison with 17,842 on the corresponding day last year. The first race tomorrow (Wednesday) goes to post at 2.30pm the feature being the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at 6.05pm. For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.