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.
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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.
Over sixteen thousand attendees enjoyed a cracking start to the five-day festival at Punchestown Racecourse. With earlier start times, enhanced facilities, exciting racing featuring no less than 3 grade ones, the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition and even the sun making an appearance, the opening day really gave punters a feel for what’s in store for the rest of the week at the County Kildare Venue.
The feature race on the card, the William Hill Champion Steeplechase (Grade 1) worth €300,000, did not disappoint. Banbridge, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by JJ Slevin in the colours of Ronnie Bartlett beat Captain Guinness by a neck in a nail-biting finish which saw the winner staying on to get the upper hand.
Ciara Toolen, a pharmacist from Dublin, emerged victorious as the winner of the prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed Competition at the Punchestown Festival. Making her debut in the world of best-dressed competitions, Ciara stunned the judges and attendees alike with her impeccable style.
Ciara’s ensemble exuded sophistication and elegance, showcasing her unique fashion sense and attention to detail. Her outfit featured a stunning hat by Linda Fleming of 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 Best Dressed which will see her fast-tracked to Friday’s final on Ladies Day at Punchestown.
The Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council, comprised of fashion industry experts Jess Colivet, Roxanne Parker, and Lawson Mpame, faced a difficult task in selecting a winner from the array of stylish contenders. However, Ciara’s ensemble stood out for its sophistication and timeless appeal, earning high praise from the judges and securing her victory.
Reflecting on the competition, judge Jess Colivet remarked, “The first day of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition at Punchestown racecourse was full of stylish outfits, even with the changing weather. People showed off their elegant and stylish looks, making it tough for us judges to pick a winner. But one person stood out for their sophistication and grace, winning everyone’s admiration.”
Ciara’s inspiration for her winning look stemmed from a hat she had owned, using it as the centrepiece to curate a stunning ensemble that perfectly complemented the atmosphere of the Punchestown Festival.
Ciara Toolen’s triumph in the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition marks a memorable moment in her fashion journey and reinforces Punchestown Festival’s reputation as a premier destination for high fashion and horse racing enthusiasts alike.
Despite the initial damp start to the day, attendees remained undeterred, bringing an abundance of style and glamour to the event. As the day progressed, the sunshine emerged, illuminating the Bollinger garden and adding to the splendour of the occasion.
The attendance was up on the opening day of the festival with 16,361 in comparison to 14,937 in 2023. The first race tomorrow (Wednesday) goes to post at 2.30pm the feature being the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at 5.25pm.
For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.
Global Major Appliance Brand Haier Join Punchestown Festival Sponsor Line Up
Media Release Monday 22nd April 2024: Punchestown Racecourse are delighted to welcome global market leading appliance specialists Haier to the 2024 festival sponsor line up. The sporting and social highlight event takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May.
The €15,000 Haier Flat Race will be the concluding contest on the opening day, Tuesday 30th April, of the 2024 Punchestown Festival. Thus providing a fitting finale to a flagship event in the Haier calendar as they commence their day with a conference followed by a special hospitality event at the racecourse.
Established in 1984, Haier has over thirty years of experience and is dedicated to design of high-quality reliable appliances for a discerning customer base. Euromonitor International has appointed Haier as the worlds number one global major appliance brand for the 15th consecutive year*. Operating across 200 markets, with 138 factories and ten research and development centres Haier employs upwards of 100,000 people.
Liz Addinall, Haier Trade Marketing Manager for Haier Smart Home in Ireland looked ahead to the Haier Punchestown activation saying, “Haier is delighted to be involved with the prestigious Punchestown Racing Festival as a sponsor this year. We are excited to be showcasing our brand and products to our Irish audience. Haier’s stylish products go across all categories from cooling to cooking and laundry. They offer the highest level of energy efficiency and a solution that tailors to our customers needs.
“We look forward to building on our relationships with retailers and furthering the visibility of the brand in Ireland with this sponsorship.”
Welcoming Haier to the Punchestown Festival line up Punchestown Sponsorship Manager Leona Hughes said, “The Haier principles of customer service, high quality and reliability align perfectly with the Punchestown model and so it is a pleasure to welcome the Haier team to the 2024 Festival. As Ireland’s largest sporting corporate hospitality event we take pride in treating our clients guests like our own. People Make Punchestown and we look forward to welcoming Haier as a new sponsor and client in a few weeks time”.
The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. With over €3.4 million in prize money across forty contests including 12 grade one races, the Punchestown Festival is Ireland most prestigious jump racing festival. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend across the five days. For full event information and ticket options please visit www.punchestown.com
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For more information on Haier in Ireland visit Haier.ie
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(*Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Consumer Appliances 2024, % share of units, 2023 volume sales data)
HAIER
Established in 1984, Haier Group is a world-leading provider of solutions to a better life. Focusing on user experience, Haier has been included on the list of BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands for two consecutive years as the world’s first and only IoT ecosystem brand. Haier has topped Global Major Appliances.
Brand Rankings by Euromonitor International for 15 consecutive years. Its subsidiary Haier Smart Home is among the list of Global 500 of Fortune. Haier Group is committed to working with its world-class ecosystem partners to continuously build premium brand, scenario brand and ecosystem brand, and to set up IoT ecosystems in clothing, food, accommodation, travel, health, elderly care, biomedicine and education, and to tailor personalised smart life for users around the globe.
Media Contacts:
Leanne Wellings Tel: 0203 8703976 Email: leanne@agent42.co.uk
Sandra Coffey Tel: 0203 8703976 Email: sandra@agent42.co.uk
Full Circle Series – Qualified Runners
The new Punchestown Full Circle Series initiative has completed all ten qualifiers ahead of the series final at the 2024 Punchestown Festival. A total of fifty-eight horses qualified to take part on the opening day of the Festival on Tuesday 30th April.
Aimed at two and a half mile handicap hurdlers rated in the region of 130, the series will consisted of ten qualifiers, five in the UK and five in Ireland. The qualifiers were held between December 2023 and March 2024. The first six horses to finish in each leg qualified for the grand finale with a prize pot of €80,000.
Richie Galway, Punchestown Racing Manager outlines the thinking behind the Full Circle Series: “There are two main objectives for this new series. Firstly we acknowledge just how high the standard of racing is in Ireland at the moment. Hopefully this series will give the smaller trainer and owners an opportunity to compete for a huge pot on a feature day on the calendar.” Galway continued: “Another key reason is to reinvigorate the essential involvement of UK trained and owned horses at Punchestown. We have been fortunate enough through the years to have amazing support from throughout the UK so we have qualifiers across all regions. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a horses at a certain level”.
Please contact Seán Crowe on scrowe@punchestown.com should you need any further details.
Jessica O’Mahony Welcomed as the Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council Assembles for Punchestown 2024
Media Release, Thursday 28th March 2024: As the countdown to the 2024 Punchestown Festival gets underway the Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council is delighted to welcome Jessica O’Mahony as guest judge for the prestigious racing fashion competition.
As a busy mum of three, Jessica has amassed a following of over 95,000 Instagram (@jeskaomahony) followers thanks to her enviable sense of style from formal occasion wear to casual match day outfits and everything in between. Whilst more familiar pitch side than track side, as Jessica’s husband is Peter O’Mahony, captain of the victorious Six Nations Irish rugby team, the Cork woman is looking forward to embracing this new experience “This will be my first visit to the Punchestown Festival and certainly my first time being involved in a style competition like this. I’m excited to experience a different side of a major sporting event and take in all the fashion, colour and atmosphere that it brings. Whilst I’m as comfortable in casual wear I do love an excuse to pull out all the stops and a big day out at the races with friends is just that, not to mention the amazing prize from Bollinger.”
The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May with the iconic champagne house Bollinger celebrating eight years involvement at the social and sporting highlight. The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition takes place over the first four days of the event. Judges and style scouts will be tasked with seeking out a number of finalists each day. The daily winner will then progress to the grand final on Ladies Day, Festival Friday, 3rd May.
The overall winner and guest will enjoy an appropriately stylish and exclusive ‘money cannot buy’ trip to the famous Champagne Bollinger Estate with luxury overnight stays in Paris and Reims to include Michelin dining and private transfers. Truly a trip of a lifetime and something worth dressing up for.
Jessica O’Mahony joins the established and diverse Style Council led by head judge, stylist and influencer Jess Colivet and ably assisted by returning names including beauty entrepreneur Suzie O’Neill of AYU, David O’Connor from Louis Copeland, stylist Lawson Mpame, sustainable fashion stylist Roxanne Parker, former winner Katie Nally-McCormack and MC Marietta Doran. Travelling especially from France to enjoy her first Punchestown Festival experience is Champagne Bollinger Brand Ambassador Eva Gottesman. The best place to keep up to date with Bollinger Best Dressed information is via the Punchestown Instagram page
This year’s Punchestown Festival will roll out new reduced ticket pricing, a refreshed layout with enhanced customer experience venues and earlier start times on the first two days. Whilst hospitality is now sold out from Tuesday to Friday there is limited availability on Saturday 4th May with waiting lists in operation throughout the week. For full event information and ticket options please visit: www.punchestown.com
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The QuinnBet Grand National Trial Increases to €100,000 with Listed Status
Thursday 1st February 2024: Punchestown Racecourse and QuinnBet are pleased to announce that the QuinnBet Grand National Trial will carry a new six figure increased prize fund of €100,000 as the race is promoted to listed status.
The three and a half mile stamina test will be the feature at the home of Irish jump racing on Sunday 18th February. The listed €100,000 QuinnBet Grand National Trial is one of the centre pieces of QuinnBet’s national hunt sponsorship strategy in Ireland and the 2024 running is the second in a three-year deal.
The newly listed contest is, as the name suggests, an ideal fact-finding mission ahead of both the Irish and Grand Nationals. Recent years have proven happy hunting ground for the Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott team. In 2023 Coco Beach led home a maroon one, two, three with 2022 winner Death Duty in the runner spot followed by stablemate Defi Bleu. The QuinnBet Grand National Trial is firmly established as one of the highlight handicap chases on the Irish calendar with former winners such as the Peter Fahey trained, The Big Dog, progressing on to win both the Munster National and Troytown Chase. Since launching in August of 2017, QuinnBet have grown rapidly in the Irish and UK iGaming sector, providing hugely competitive odds across horse racing and other major sports.
Looking forward to the upcoming QuinnBet Grand National Trial, Niall McPartland, QuinnBet Head of Sponsorship & Commercial said: “QuinnBet is delighted to renew the sponsorship of the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown in 2024 and beyond! This is our second consecutive year to sponsor this race and we are very proud to continue our association with the home of Irish jumps and our sponsorship of Irish racing. The Grand National Trial is considered a key stepping-stone for Irish and UK Grand National contenders. The impressive prize pot of €100,000 will attract a strong field for the 2024 QuinnBet Grand National and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank HRI for their support of the race and Punchestown sponsorship manager Leona Hughes and the team for their assistance in ensuring the success of showcasing our brand at this iconic venue”.
Leona Hughes, Punchestown Sponsorship Manager “It has been a pleasure to work alongside the QuinnBet team across this three-year deal. We are always aiming to improve and progress so the increased prize fund and promotion to listed category is great news and will go a long way to further enhance what is a feature handicap race on the Irish calendar. We had a lovely crowd here for the 2023 renewal so hope to welcome the same again for an afternoon of quality racing with plenty of chase races on offer”.
The QuinnBet Grand National Trial takes place on Sunday 18th February 2024 and is the feature on a high quality seven race card. In addition to the feature, there will be listed and novice chase action along with the highly-anticipated return of the Up The Yard Stable Staff Challenge. The enclosures, restaurants and bars will be buzzing with Race & Dine clients, music, children’s entertainment and more.
Advance ticket prices from just €15. First race 1.35pm (subject to minor change). Visit www.punchestown.com for further information, hospitality and ticket options. For more information
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About QuinnBet
Founded in 2017, QuinnBet is a rapidly growing brand in the iGaming sector, providing a hugely popular, licensed online sports betting and casino platform in the UK and Ireland. Visit their website for more info www.quinnbet.com
For Further information please contact:
Manuela Bologheanu, QuinnBet head of Brand and PR, Manuela.bologheanu@quinnbet.com