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To celebrate its 175th anniversary this year, Punchestown racecourse has unveiled a limited edition print collection of historic John Sturgess paintings depicting the famous 1872 Conyngham Cup race. A limited number of sets will be sold with proceeds going to Kildare charities, and Punchestown neighbours, Barretstown and Tiglin.

A complete set contains four prints; The Start, The Double, The Stone Wall and The Finish. Only 175 unframed sets of historic Sturgess prints are available for purchase.

The prints are available in two sizes and are delivered unframed:

Original Size: 10.5in (267mm) x 20in (508)

€1,000 plus €12 P&P 

Large Size: 15.5in (394mm) x 29.5in (749mm)

€1,200 plus €12 P&P

 

Punchestown Launch the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series for 2025–2026

€50,000 Bonus for Winning Connections Plus €50,000 in Free Bets for Matchbook users

 

Punchestown Racecourse, in partnership with Matchbook Betting Exchange, is proud to announce the launch of the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series for the 2025-2026 Jump Season.

This initiative offers a €50,000 bonus to the first horse that wins a designated qualifier and subsequently captures a Grade 1 at the 2026 Punchestown Festival. In addition, Matchbook will reward existing Matchbook users with €50,000 worth of free bets.

Matchbook offers users a premier horse racing betting experience and is industry renowned for best odds across Irish Racing. The Betting Exchange will sponsor 28 races at Punchestown this season including three graded contests. This marks one of the largest annual sponsorship commitments at the ‘Home of Irish Jumps’. The partnership also includes Day 2 of the Punchestown Premiere Weekend this Sunday, 23rd November, where Matchbook sponsor the GR2 Matchbook Betting Exchange Craddockstown Novice Chase. Based in Cork, the partnership is evidence of Matchbook’s commitment to supporting Irish Horse Racing.

Early Qualifiers Already Deliver Promising Contenders

The Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series is built around twelve targeted maiden hurdle and bumper qualifiers, each designed to showcase emerging talent on the road to later Spring Festivals including the 2026 Punchestown Festival.

The opening two qualifiers staged last week at Punchestown produced highly impressive winners in Koktail Brut and Sopelana, both of whom now become the first horses eligible for the €50,000 bonus.

Ronan McDonagh of Matchbook Betting Exchange, said:

“We’re extremely proud to launch the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series and deepen our involvement in Irish jump racing. The €50,000 bonus provides a meaningful, season-long target for connections, while the €50,000 in free bets allows us to reward our loyal Matchbook users. Punchestown is a world-class racing venue and supporting 28 races here including three graded events is a natural fit for us. We are particularly excited to sponsor the GR2 Craddockstown Novice Chase this Sunday as part of our Punchestown Premiere Weekend involvement.”

Leona Hughes at Punchestown Racecourse, said:

“The Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series is exactly the type of creative, high-impact initiative that elevates our season. It not only incentivises connections but engages the wider racing audience as well. Early winners Koktail Brut and Sopelana have set the bar high, and we look forward to the exciting season ahead. We sincerely thank Matchbook for their substantial and exciting support, including their sponsorship of the GR2 Craddockstown Novice Chase this Sunday.”

MATCHBOOK 50/50 GRADUATION BONUS SERIES – QUALIFIERS

13 November

9 December

12 January

26 January

18 February

For more information on the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Series, please visit insights.matchbook.com.

ENDS

 

 

The chance for one lucky family to win an adventure to Lapland this December at the Punchestown Premiere Weekend

Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November

THE PRIZE – FULL DETAILS

This one-day Lapland adventure will be on Saturday 13 December travelling from Dublin airport. The highlight of this memorable experience will be meeting Santa in his log cabin after visiting Kittila’s Snow Village where little ones can zoom on the snow slide, learn how to drive a miniature skidoo, enjoy a short husky-led sleigh ride and get involved in arty activities and warm up over lunch in the cafe.

Read about the full trip HERE.

HOW TO WIN?

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Plenty more to look forward to for all families this weekend at Punchestown on 22 and 23 November:

Punchestown.com is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and in doing so adhere to parts of the available standards and guidelines.

 

The following are some of the things that we have implemented to support accessibility:

 

 

The following are some shortfalls we will work on to improve:

 

 

If you have any queries about accessibility please contact us on info@punchestown.com

Click here to download

It’s the people who make Punchestown and this weekend Punchestown is delivering for the people.

Punchestown is set to shine this weekend as the prestigious Punchestown Premiere Weekend features two thrilling days of Grade 1 action on Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th. The weekend’s marquee events include the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle on Saturday and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday, both of which will showcase some of the sport’s most exciting horses, including the top-rated horses in Ireland State Man and Galopin Des Champs.

Between the 17 horses declared across both feature races at Punchestown this weekend they have won a combined total of 40 Grade 1 races and it is set to be a sporting weekend to remember with history in the making on Saturday and a potential race for the ages on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday’s Unibet Morgiana Hurdle: A Showdown of Champions
The €150,000 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle stands alone as a highlight of the jump season, and this year’s renewal promises to be a thrilling contest with State Man, trained by Willie Mullins, seeking to make history by winning his third consecutive Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, a feat last achieved by the legendary Hurricane Fly.

In the biggest Unibet Morgiana Hurdle field since the turn of the century, the Grade 1 star will face a formidable field, including talented stablemate Lossiemouth and Gordon Elliott’s highly-regarded Brighterdaysahead, who comes into the race with the benefit of match practice following her win at Down Royal.

State Man, whose only defeat in Grade 1 company was to Constitution Hill, is seeking an eleventh Grade 1 success over hurdles, two of which came in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and last March he famously captured the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Lossiemouth, who is the mount of Patrick Mullins, is herself a four time Grade 1 winner, while Brighterdaysahead won at the highest level at Aintree last season.
Gordon Elliott, speaking ahead of the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, said: “We had a few options for her after Down Royal but we thought the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown was the best next step for her.

“She’s come out of Down Royal in good form and couldn’t have done much more there so we’ll go to Punchestown now at the weekend and find out a lot more about her. It’s a very prestigious race and we look forward to running her and her performance on Saturday will tell us a lot more about what direction to point her in next.”

The race will also feature the Mullins-trained Daddy Long Legs, the classy Sir Gerhard, and Winter Fog, as well as Smooth Tom (Andy Slattery) and No Looking Back (Oliver McKiernan). With a €150,000 prize fund on offer, Saturday’s showpiece promises to be a memorable renewal of race which has a notable roll of honour including the aforementioned Hurricane Fly, Faugheen, Nichols Canyon, Solwhit and Hardy Eustace.
Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase: A Clash of Gold Cup Heroes
Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase is set to be the weekend’s most eagerly anticipated race and could well be in line for race of the season even at this early stage.

Another mouth-watering clash between Galopin Des Champs, the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and Fastorslow, the Punchestown Gold Cup victor is in store. This is the latest chapter in an exciting rivalry between the two eight-year-olds and will be the best jump race we have seen since their Punchestown Gold Cup clash last April.
Both Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs are arguably coming into their prime season now but will start the campaign by taking on some of last season’s leading novice chasers in Fact To File, Grangeclare West, Inothewayurthinkin and Spillane’s Tower. Blue Lord and Journey With Me are both highly rated chasers in their own right and Minella Cocooner makes up a very strong field for the €150,000 feature.
Martin Brassil, trainer of Fastorslow, expressed his excitement ahead of the race: “Everything has gone to plan with him, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge. It’s fantastic to see so many top-class horses taking each other on in their first race of the season.”

The JP McManus-owned trio of Fact To File, Inothewayurthinkin and Spillane’s Tower all polished off fine seasons with Grade 1 successes last spring. Fact To File, the mount of Mark Walsh, won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, Inothewayurthinkin scored at Aintree while Spillane’s Tower is a course and distance winner having landed the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

Blue Lord, a Grade 1 winner over two miles returns to action for the first time since last year’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, while the extremely talented Grangeclare West, a Grade 1 winning novice last season, also makes a long awaited return to action for the champion trainer.
Quality action across the weekend
Saturday’s card will also feature the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase, where Gordon Elliott will saddle all three runners, including Stellar Story, Search For Glory, and Rainbow Trail. Elliott’s stable jockey Jack Kennedy rides Stellar Story with Sam Ewing onboard Search For Glory and Jody McGarvey booked for Rainbow Trail.
On the same day, Ballyburn, who triumphed in the Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, will make his highly-anticipated chasing debut in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase. Fellow Punchestown Festival winner Sermandzarak, who claimed the Goffs Defender Bumper, will embark on his hurdling career in the Sebden Steel Maiden Hurdle.
Sunday will see exciting action in the BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase, with Farren Glory and Touch Me Not from Gordon Elliott’s yard headlining the Grade 2 contest. Nurburgring, the Galway Hurdle winner, is another standout entry for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Racing on Sunday will begin with the Colm Quinn BMW Risk Of Thunder Chase, with Stumptown, a Punchestown Festival winner, among the declared runners in the cross-country race.

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown Racecourse CEO added: “I think that this is probably one of the best weekends racing we have had here in many years. The increase in prize money, bringing the Durkan back into the Premiere Weekend is reflected in the sheer calibre of horses declared to run. We are all systems go and the reaction to the good value tickets has been really positive.”
Live Coverage on TG4 and RTÉ
Both days of top-tier racing will be broadcast live on terrestrial television, with TG4 airing its first-ever Grade 1 meeting on Saturday and RTÉ covering Sunday’s action.

Tickets and further event details are available at punchestown.com.

Click here for the full fields for racing on Saturday

Click here for the full fields for racing on Sunday

 

 

The Punchestown Festival enjoyed another fantastic annual festival this week. Despite offering punters all four seasons over the five days, the crowds turned out in force and the atmosphere was as vibrant and lively as ever!

Attendance figures were up on 4 of the 5 days, with Ladies Day on Friday attracting the greatest numbers when 36,620 attendees turned out in their finery.

Ballymore Family Day saw 25,396 junior racegoers, families, socialisers and racing fans descend on Punchestown. The overall attendance at the festival was 118,318!

Conor O’Neill, CEO Punchestown commented “We took a big risk this year and made many substantial changes which thankfully paid off and despite the inclement weather, we’ve enjoyed an absolute beano! Whether you’re 5 or 95 there has been something for everyone here at Punchestown this week and that’s what it’s all about! People make Punchestown and we’re so grateful to our sponsors, many stakeholders and everyone who came along to support us! This afternoon I’m most proud of our remarkable team, their unwavering commitment and hard work has been rewarded and I’m delighted for everyone!”

The feature race the Ballymore Champion 4 Year Old Hurdle went to post at 4.50pm. The winner Kargese was given an exceptional ride by Paul Townend to win the final Grade 1 of the season for trainer Willie Mullins and owner Kenneth Alexander.

History was made at Punchestown today when 25 year old Jack Kennedy was crowned Champion National Hunt Jockey of the season for the first time. The Irish National Hunt Champions of the 2023/24 Season are; Champion Owner JP McManus, Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, Champion Jockey Jack Kennedy, Champion Conditional Danny Gilligan, Champion Amateur Patrick Mullins and Champion Lady Amateur Jody Townend.

And off the track there were plenty of winners too including Ciara Toolen from Dublin who won the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition. Her prize, a ‘money can’t buy trip for two’ to Paris, the Champagne Region, Reims and the Bollinger Estate and a year’s supply of Champagne Bollinger.

Finally, on Ballymore Family Day the winner of the 2024 Punchestown Art Competition for juniors was second class student Finn Houlihan from Ballyshannon National School. The senior competition devised for group entries was won by Holy Child, 4th Class, Room 1.

The 2025 Punchestown Festival, will take place from Tuesday 29 April to Saturday 03 May. Flexi tickets are available online now for a limited time only. The Festival flexi ticket allows access to any one of the five days at Festival 2025, so get your Festival 2025 Flexi Ticket at punchestown.com.

Boodles, Bollinger and Bravado galore…at the Punchestown Festival on Day 4!

Despite the damp weather, the atmosphere at Punchestown remained as vibrant and lively as ever on Ladies Day. The stylish crowd added splashes of colour to lift the spirits of the enclosures while the thrilling action on the track ensured there was something for everyone to enjoy!

Ciara Toolen from Dublin, who was fast tracked to the final on Tuesday, the opening day of the festival, emerged victorious as the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition at Punchestown.

Her reaction to the win was a beautiful blend of shock and excitement. Ciara’s win was a testament to her timeless taste and style, qualities that shone brightly throughout the competition. Her ensemble exuded sophistication and elegance, showcasing her unique fashion sense and attention to detail. Her outfit featured a stunning hat by Linda Fleming from Wexford, a chic suit by Balmain, a stylish coat by Reiss, and a beautifully crafted blouse by Irish designer Aoife McNamara. Ciara’s outfit effortlessly captured the essence of the event, earning her the coveted title of Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival.

The Style Council tasked with selecting the 2024 Bollinger Best Dressed Winner included Jess Colivet, Jessica O’Mahony, Lawson Mpame, Suzie O’Neill, David O’Connor, Kate Nally McCormack and Roxanne Parker. They were seeking a combination of elegance, creativity, and attention to detail, qualities that Ciara showcased in abundance. Her head-to-toe curated look embodied the essence of Bollinger’s motto: “Timeless taste, Timeless style.”

As Ciara basks in the glow of her well-deserved victory, she looks forward to enjoying the amazing prize that awaits her. Ciara and a guest will enjoy a ‘money can’t buy’ trip of a lifetime to the home of Bollinger. This is not a cliché, you literally cannot buy this prize as it is invitation only. Business class flights to Paris, five-star hotel accommodation, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur are all included. In addition, they will enjoy an exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience including private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house, an overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region Reims and one year’s supply of Bollinger.

All finalists received a deluxe goody bag with gifts from Bollinger, AYU and Pestle and Mortar and the most stylish gent Hugo Browne was treated to a case of Bollinger along with a Louis Copeland tailored suit along with commemorative cuff links and tie.

The feature race on Friday’s card, The Boodles Champion Hurdle (Grade1) was won once again by State Man the odds-on favourite. The Champion Hurdle hero is now a ten-time Grade 1 winner and is unbeaten in five course runs at Punchestown.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the final day of the 2024 Punchestown Festival, when the next generation of racegoers will descent in their droves for Ballymore Family Day. An amazing day out for all the gang with tons of free children’s activities, shows and rides to choose from, Family Day at the Punchestown Festival is also exceptional value with a pay on the gate ticket available at €50 per family.

Gates will be open from 11.30am, the first of an eight-race card goes to post at 2.30pm and the feature race the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) is scheduled for 4.50pm.

For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.

 

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 | Captions Embedded | No Repo Fee (Michael Chester)

Music Manager Nadine King hits the right note in the style stakes at Punchestown!

Nadine King, a music manager from Donnybrook, stole the show in the fashion stakes. Her impeccable sense of style wowed the Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council who ultimately deemed her today’s best dressed at Punchestown.

Wearing a tailored suit by Destree, Nadine exuded confidence and elegance as she paired it with Christian Louboutin shoes and a Chanel bag. It was her 16-year-old Mad Hatter hat that truly set her apart for the judges, worn not just as a fashion statement but a symbol of luck and sentimentality.

The Bollinger Garden buzzed with excitement as the competition unfolded. Among the finalists, a married couple, Raymond Gilbourne and Jillian Kelleher, added a delightful twist to the competition.

Jess Colivet, head judge, shared insights into their decision-making process emphasising to the crowd the importance of a meticulously curated look from head to toe. For Nadine, every detail was considered and well thought out, a fact that did not escape the discerning eyes of my fellow judges.

Reflecting on her victory, Nadine expressed shock and excitement, grateful for the recognition amidst a fun day out with her girlfriends. She is the final contender this week to enjoy a fast track pass to the final of the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition tomorrow (Friday) when more finalists will be selected and the overall winner will be announced.

Much to the delight of punters, the weather cleared prior to racing as Day 3 of the Punchestown Festival got underway at the County Kildare track. For the third day in succession, the crowds were up! 18,289 attended today compared to 17,783 on day 3 of the festival in 2023, an increase of 3%.

The feature race on the card, the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) went to Teahupoo in Brian Acheson’s Robcour colours for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy. The win put Jack Kennedy 6 ahead of Paul Townend in the 2024 Irish National Hunt Jockeys Championship.

The first race tomorrow (Friday) goes to post at 3.40pm and the feature race on the card is the Boodles Champion Hurdle (Grade1). State Man is odds on favourite, the Champion Hurdle hero is a nine-time Grade 1 winner and also unbeaten in four course runs at Punchestown including last year’s renewal of this very content. He will be taken on by Irish Point, Colonel Mustard and Sir Gerhard at 6pm on Ladies Day at the County Kildare Venue.

For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.

Image Courtesy of Patrick McCann/Racing Post
Caption: Teahupoo and Jack Kennedy win the Gr.1 Champion Stayers Hurdle for owner Brian Acheson and trainer Gordon Elliott.

It was another increased attendance at peerless Punchestown this afternoon, where 21,652 spectators enjoyed day two of the action packed five-day festival. With the sun shining, Faith deemed best dressed and the feature race winner ‘Fastorslow’ ensuring the Bollinger stayed flowing, there was plenty to celebrate at the County Kildare venue.

Fastorslow delivered again today for owners Sean and Bernadine Mulryan to take the feature race on the card, the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. He bravely denied Galopin Des Champs to retain his crown in fine style for trainer Martin Brassil and Jockey JJ Slevin.

Faith Amond, hailing from Milford, Carlow, graced the Punchestown Races with her signature elegance, turning heads with her impeccable outfit choices. Her ensemble was a tribute to timeless sophistication, with a hat by Caithriona King Millinery adding a touch of flair, complemented by a bespoke dress crafted by Kilkenny designer Miriam Nolan. Faith’s Fendi vintage bag, retrieved from her wardrobe after years of ownership, added a nostalgic charm to her look. Completing her ensemble were gloves by Paula Rowan and exquisite jewellery by Miriam Haskell.

Despite celebrating her 71st birthday just last month, Faith’s attendance at the Punchestown Races spans over four decades, a testament to her enduring love for the event and passion for fashion. While her style is undeniably impeccable, Faith has only been a finalist twice ever at Punchestown, showcasing her humility and genuine passion for attending the races annually.

The judging panel on Wednesday, consisting of Jess Colivet, David O’Connor, Kate Nally McCormack, and Michelle O’Sullivan, praised Faith’s ensemble, with Jess Colivet noting that the winner embodied the timeless taste and style synonymous with Bollinger.

The day dawned with sunny skies, setting the stage for an atmosphere of excitement that peaked to breathtaking heights as the races unfolded. Faith’s presence added an extra layer of charm to the already vibrant ambiance, making the popular winner a standout figure amidst the festivities. She will now progress to Friday’s grand final when the overall winner will be announced.

The attendance was up again today with 21,652 in attendance compared to 20,354 in 2023. The first race tomorrow (Thursday) goes to post at 3.40pm the feature is the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdles with 11 runners declared.

For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.