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Galopin Des Champs faces select but talented opposition in bid to

finally add LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP to CV

Jasmin De Vaux and Bambino Fever to attempt festival doubles

Galopin Des Champs is reported to have come out of his Cheltenham exertions well and faces a select but talented group of three as he attempts to win the LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP for the first time on Wednesday.
It is the only blank on the CV of Audrey Turley’s heroic nine-year-old, who was second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when bidding to join the all-time greats of jump racing with a third straight triumph.

He is a previous winner at the Punchestown Festival however, with two of his 11 Grade 1s having come in the famed Kildare amphitheatre.
With the horse that denied him his Cheltenham/Punchestown double bids, Fastorslow, ruled out for the season by injury before Christmas, and his Cotswolds nemesis, Inothewayurthinkin on holidays, it looks like Spillane’s Tower, who finished ahead of him in second in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in November, could be his most serious rival.
The Jimmy Mangan-trained seven-year-old is a fresh horse having missed Cheltenham and Aintree, and will be ridden by Mark Walsh, who took the scalp of Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham.
Monty’s Star, who was just touched off by Spillane’s Tower in the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase 12 months ago, was fourth in the March blue riband and resumes rivalries for Henry de Bromhead, with Rachael Blackmore in the plate.

The field is completed by the Joseph O’Brien-trained Banbridge, who was ridden by Galopin Des Champs’ rider Paul Townend to score in the King George VI Chase on St Stephen’s Day. Regular partner, JJ Slevin, who produced Ronnie Bartlett’s gelding for a last-gasp triumph in the William Hill Champion Chase last year, completes the high-class field.
“Galopin Des Champs knew he had a race after Cheltenham but has had plenty of time to recover and seems back to himself now,” said Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer to his father Willie, the newly minted two-in-a-row British champion trainer, who will bring his tally of Irish championships to 19 on Saturday.
“Obviously, he’s trying to break his Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup hoodoo but there’s not Fastorslow there this year so hopefully he can finish out his season in style. But regardless, it’s been an incredible season for him and we are already looking forward to next year.”
For the second year in a row, Jasmin De Vaux comes to Punchestown attempting a double, having scored in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. He is joined in the CHANNOR REAL ESTATE GROUP NOVICE HURDLE by Closutton stablemates Argento Boy, Luckinthecity and Jarrive De Mee, while the Gordon Elliott-trained Aintree Grade 1 winner, Honesty Policy is included in the field of eight.

“Jasmin De Vaux finally put it all together over hurdles in the Albert Bartlett and I thought Paul was magnificent on him but it will be a very different test here,” said Mullins Jnr. “There’s going to be a lot more jumping. It’s going to be a lot tighter and sharper than the New Course at Cheltenham.
“Obviously, he disappointed in Punchestown last year so there’s a few question marks but he seems in great form and we’re hoping he can follow up.
“We’ve got a few others in there but I think Jarrive De Mee could run very well. I think stepping up to three miles will really suit him, being a point-to-point winner by Authorized and I think going right-handed and the nice ground will suit him too. He’s a horse that is fresh and well and could well run into a place.”

The Grand National winner will ride Copocabana in the RACE & STAY AT PUNCHESTOWN CHAMPION INH FLAT RACE, as he did at Cheltenham when they could only finish tenth, with the Jody Townend-Bambino Fever tandem that prevailed at Prestbury Park in March being retained for the seven-strong contest.
The Noel Meade-trained Colcannon could lay down a strong challenge having stayed at home since scoring at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival in February, but Bambino Fever will be favoured to join an elite group.

“Bambino Fever came out of Cheltenham in great form,” said Mullins. “She put in two huge performances at DRF and Cheltenham so hopefully she can follow in the footsteps of Facile Vega, Champagne Fever and Cousin Vinny, who all followed up at Punchestown. She is most definitely the one to beat.
“Copacabana was a little disappointing at Cheltenham but it was probably not a race ran to suit and I would be expecting a much improved showing from him on Wednesday.”

Spillane’s Tower fresh for Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup test while Fact To File on target for clash with Cheltenham hero Marine Nationale in William Hill Champion Chase
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Robcour rematch between Bob Olinger and Teahupoo still on the cards in Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle
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Spillane’s Tower and Fact To File spearhead the JP McManus team on the opening three days of the Punchestown Festival, which gets under way next Tuesday, April 29th.
Entries for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are now confirmed, and the mouth-watering clash between Cheltenham Queen Mother hero, Marine Nationale and Ryanair Chase victor, Fact To File is still on the cards in the GRADE 1 WILLIAM HILL CHAMPION CHASE on the opening day.

Nine horses stand their ground, including last year’s Queen Mother winner, Captain Guinness, and Energumene, who scored in the Cheltenham two-mile championship contest in 2022 and 2023.
Energumene is also a three-time Grade 1 victor at the Punchestown Festival, and if lining up, will be pursuing his third William Hill Champion Chase¸ having doubled up in both his Cheltenham Festival-winning seasons before injury ruled him out of a Spring campaign last term.

Marine Nationale was a very comfortable winner of the Cheltenham Champion Chase this year for owner/trainer Barry Connell and the lightly-raced eight-year-old is the one they all have to beat this time round. However, Energumene’s Willie Mullins stablemate, Fact To File is an intriguing entrant for champion owner JP McManus. Racing manager, Frank Berry reports the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase winner at this venue to be tip-top shape but is fully aware of the calibre of opposition. “It’s the only entry he has there,” said Berry today. “I believe he’s in good form. It won’t be easy taking on the Champion Chase winner but we’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on. It will be very interesting.”  Dual Grade 1 winner, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Solness also stands his ground, as does another Closutton inmate, Gaelic Warrior.

Susannah Ricci’s five-time Grade 1 winner also holds an entry in Wednesday’s GRADE 1 LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP and would be a fascinating participant following his triumph on a first attempt at three miles over fences in the Aintree Bowl. He is a dual winner at Punchestown, including in the Grade 1 Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, over the maximum trip at that level two years ago.

Yet another Closutton superstar, Galopin Des Champs has yet to add the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup to his illustrious CV and is among the octet still standing, having gone out on his shield when having his three-in-a-row Cheltenham Gold Cup bid foiled by the JP McManus-owned Inothewayurthinkin. The green and gold is likely to be represented in this high-class affair by Spillane’s Tower, who like Inothewayurthinkin, is bred by the owner’s wife Noreen. Spillane’s Tower sparked major celebrations when winning the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase 12 months ago. After a cracker behind Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown last November, the Walk In The Park seven-year-old disappointed in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day and he hasn’t been seen in public since.

Trainer Jimmy Mangan revealed that they were ready to get saddled in Aintree when jockey Mark Walsh reported the ground to be too quick, meaning he was withdrawn, but it’s all systems go for a return to the gelding’s happy hunting ground.
“He’s in good order and that’s the plan to go there,” Berry confirms. “The rain will help and he’s a fresh horse going there. It’ll be a hot race but he’s in good form.”
There are 16 horses that could still face the starter in the GRADE 1 LADBROKES CHAMPION STAYERS’ HURDLE.

The Fergal O’Brien-trained Grade 1 winner Crambo would be a welcome visitor, Rocky’s Diamond ran a cracker at Cheltenham for Declan Queally and is sure to progress as a five-year-old, and Home By The Lee, who is conditioned by Joseph O’Brien, is always a threat in staying events. It is the prospective rematch between Cheltenham winner Bob Olinger (Henry de Bromhead) and his predecessor and this year’s runner-up Teahupoo (Gordon Elliott) that will make the headlines.

Robcour are very well stocked in this division and de Bromhead saddled Hiddenvalley Lake in the pink, white and black to score in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. He remains in contention also.
In Tuesday’s other Grade 1s, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner, Kopek Des Bordes is the standout performer among the ten possibles at the five-day stage for the GRADE 1 KPMG CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE. Aintree victor, Salvator Mundi is also left in the two-mile contest.

The pair are among a team of seven entered by Willie Mullins. Irancy, who scored at Grade 2 level at Fairyhouse after finishing seventh in Cheltenham, is among that cohort. He is one of two McManus runners still in contention, the other being the Colm Murphy-trained Naas maiden hurdle winner, Lovely Hurling.
“They’re both in good form,” Berry declared. “You’d love to be going there with another run in Lovely Hurling. He is also in the two and a half but they’re both intended runners so we’ll see in the next few days.”

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner Lecky Watson looks likely to face top-flight opposition in the DOOLEY INSURANCE CHAMPION NOVICE CHASE. Ballyburn, Impaire Et Passe and Dancing City are among other Mullins-trained rivals he joins on the gallops during the week in the mix, while Henry de Bromhead pair Slade Steel and Gorgeous Tom, the Gordon Elliott-trained Brown Advisory runner-up Stellar Story and Ken Budds’ Jack Richards Novice Chase runner-up Anyway, are possible contestants.

There are 19 possible runners in the GRADE 1 CHANNOR REAL ESTATE GROUP NOVICE HURDLE. The Munir/Souede-owned Jasmin De Vaux is the one to beat having galloped to success in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, while The Yellow Clay would be of note if the Turners’ runner-up were to step up to three miles.
His Cullentra House compatriot, Honesty Policy scored at Grade 1 level in Aintree, at the intermediate trip, and holds multiple entries.
“He has a couple of entries, at three miles and two and a half,” Berry states. “It’s a bit up in the air about him but we’ll see what the weather is doing.”

Bambino Fever is another attempting a Cheltenham/Punchestown double in the GRADE 1 RACE & STAY AT PUNCHESTOWN INH FLAT RACE. Three horses have been taken out to leave a list of 19. Gameofinches and Copacabana are other Mullins horses apart from the favourite that could take their chances, along with Paddy Twomey’s Grade 2 Aintree winner, Seo Linn.
Majborough did remarkably well to get within three-quarters of a length of Jango Baie in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, after dreadful jumping errors at the last two obstacles, but Berry reports that there are no ill effects ahead of an intended tilt at Thursday’s other Grade 1, the GRADE 1 BARBERSTOWN CASTLE NOVICE CHASE.

“He’s on song for the two-mile novice chase,” says the McManus racing manager. “It was a little unfortunate at Cheltenham what happened but he still ran a good race and he was fine afterwards, not a bother on him. Willie is happy with him and he’ll go there all being well.”
There are ten horses still in contention, with Gavin Cromwell’s Arkle runner-up Only By Night, who finished just ahead of Majborough, another interesting contender with the mares’ 7lbs allowance. Impaire Et Passe (Willie Mullins) would be a threat after his two-and-a-half-mile victory at Aintree, while Rubaud (Paul Nicholls) and Brookie (Anthony Honeyball) could fly the British flag.

 

Bollinger Style Concierge Debuts at Punchestown Festival with Exclusive Ayu and Vision Ireland Collaboration

 

Media Release, Wednesday 23rd April – The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition is raising the stakes in 2025 with the debut of the Bollinger Style Concierge, an elegant and immersive style experience set to elevate the fashion and beauty offering at this year’s Punchestown Festival, taking place from April 29th to May 3rd.

Designed as a premium beauty and pre-loved fashion area within the Style Quarter, The Bollinger Style Concierge  will feature two guest collaborators: Ayu Cosmetics and Vision Ireland. Ayu Cosmetics, the beloved Irish beauty brand founded by internationally renowned makeup artist Suzie O’Neill, will offer racegoers exclusive make-up top-ups and expert advice from Ayu’s professional artists to keep their look flawless from flag fall to après racing music and dancing.

Partnering with Vision Ireland, the Bollinger Style Concierge places a spotlight on sustainable fashion. Festival goers can browse a curated rail of designer and pre-loved pieces co-styled by Head Judge Jess Colivet and Style Council Member Roxanne Parker, embracing the spirit of the 2025 Bollinger Best Dressed theme of “Something Old / Something New” in an elegant, timeless and ethical way. Whilst partaking in her best dressed judge duties, Roxanne will be showcasing a Vision Ireland pre-loved and especially tailored outfit.

Michelle O’Sullivan of Bollinger said “The introduction of the Bollinger Style Concierge is an exciting enhancement to what is a flagship event on the Irish social calendar. As a B-Corp certified organisation, Bollinger are proud to raise awareness of sustainable style options by Vision Ireland and showcase homegrown ethical beauty products from Ayu. This is all part of our Something Old/ Something New concept for the 2025 Bollinger Best Dressed at Punchestown”.

“Ayu Cosmetics is honoured to be part of the debut of the Bollinger Style Concierge –  an exciting new addition at what is one of Ireland’s most stylish social events”.  said Suzie O’Neill founder Ayu. “In collaboration with Vision Ireland, we’re bringing our signature beauty expertise to this elegant space, offering exclusive makeup top-ups to ensure guests feel as flawless, confident and as radiant as the Punchestown Festival itself.”

Ciara Coleman, Head of Development & Growth at Vision Ireland said: “Vision Ireland are delighted to take part in this years Punchestown Festival as part of the Bollinger Concierge. In collaboration with Ayu Cosmetics we will be operating our pop-up over the five days, with a fantastic offering of pre-loved designer pieces from our studio that have been specifically curated for this event. With designer brands such as Gucci, Valentino and vintage Dior, we are sure there will be something for everyone! We believe sustainability should never mean a compromise of style.”

“Our team have worked tirelessly to curate a stock package that showcases the very best of designer racewear while incorporating our ever important sustainability focus. Throughout the event we will showcase our pre-loved designer collection that includes not only ready-to-wear, but also a fantastic range of race day essentials such as head pieces and accessories”.

The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition, a longstanding highlight of the festival, will run throughout the first four days of the event, with daily finalists progressing to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 2nd May. The Bollinger Style Council will be searching the enclosures for candidates who have shown their ability to style a race day appropriate outfit featuring a sustainably chosen piece.

 

Senior Art Competition Winners

6th Class, Room 2 – St. Corban’s BNS

 

Junior Art Competition Winners
🥇 Lily Monohan – Caragh NS, Ms. Hanly’s 2nd Class
🥈 Isabelle Nixon – Rathmore NS, Ms. Doyle’s 1st Class
🥉 Donnacha Dooling – Ballymore NS, 1st Class

 

Competition Details

 

The 2025 BritVic Inter Schools Punchestown Art Competition Participants: 

Killashee Multi Denominational National School
Scoil Mhuire National School, Ballymore
Scoil Brid, Oldtown Naas
Scoil Chorbain BNS Naas
Hollywood NS
Ursaille Naofa, Twomilehouse
St Marys J.N.S, Blessington
Ballyshannon National School
An Linbh Iosa, Ballycane
Valleymount
Naas Community National School
Scoil Bhride National School, Kilcullen
Halverstown NS
Rathmore National School
St Marys SNS, Blessington
Kill National School/ Scoil Bhride
Caragh National School

 

 

Punchestown Charity Race to Surpass €2 Million for Kidney Research and Organ Donation Awareness

2025 will be a major milestone for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) Charity Race as it is set to exceed €2 million in total funds raised. The 34th running of what is considered the most important race at the festival, will take place on Saturday, 3rd May 2025. This special race is the last of the season as the curtain falls on the national hunt season on the final day of the Punchestown Festival.
This year marks a major milestone: PKRF is set to exceed €2 million in total funds raised since the race began. All proceeds support kidney-related research and initiatives, while also raising crucial awareness about organ donation in Ireland.
The race was founded in 1990 by Kilcullen native James Nolan, who received a life-saving kidney transplant from his sister Catherine Doyle in 1987. After regaining his health, James launched the charity race to give back—and even rode in the first 13 editions, famously winning in 2002 aboard Nero’s Dancer at odds of 50/1.

Recent Impact of the PKRF
Over the past three years, the PKRF has supported a range of life-changing projects:
• Pilot Peer Support Program with the IKA, providing vital emotional and practical support for dialysis and transplant patients and their families.
• James Tracy/PKRF/Kidney Beam Exercise Program, offering free, live and on-demand online fitness classes tailored specifically for kidney patients.
• Research into Polycystic Kidney Disease, in collaboration with the Irish Nephrology Society and the Irish Research Council.
• “State Man” Art Therapy Initiatives for dialysis patients across units in Tallaght, Waterford, and Wexford.
• Sports Programs designed for kidney patients to promote wellness and community.
• A special trip to Lourdes for one dialysis patient and their carer.
• Development of a new “Kidney App” in partnership with Dr. Donal Sexton at St. James’s Hospital, to help patients manage their care.

Racing with a Purpose
The race’s title — “Have the Conversation – Say YES to Organ Donation” — captures its deeper mission. Founder James Nolan urges every family in Ireland to talk openly about organ donation.

“Don’t leave your loved ones in doubt. Have the conversation. It makes all the difference,” says Nolan.
This year, 22 amateur jockeys who have successfully completed their assessments at the Jockey Apprentice School (R.A.C.E.) will take part in the 34th running of this remarkable race.

The 2025 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May. The PKRF Charity Race is the curtain closer on Saturday 3rd May @ 6.30pm. Tickets in advance from €35 or festival week from €40. Senior and student tickets available on the day from €25. Full event details and tickets via the link below.

Punchestown and Aramark Introduce Groundbreaking ‘Elevate 2025’ Programme in Partnership with St. Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin

70 Wicklow Students Employed by Aramark at the upcoming Punchestown Festival.

Media Release: In a landmark collaboration, Punchestown Racecourse, Aramark, Ireland’s leading food services provider and St. Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin have joined forces to launch Elevate 2025 – Discovering the Heart of Irish Hospitality Excellence, a pioneering Transition Year (TY) programme that combines community involvement, real-world skills training, and local pride.

As a result 70 St. Kevins College transition year students will be employed by Aramark for paid work experience at the upcoming Punchestown Festival from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May. As Ireland’s largest sporting hospitality event, the army of chefs, kitchen, bar and floor staff will serve up to 17,000 corporate hospitality guests.

This innovative pilot scheme is designed to immerse local TY students in the dynamic world of hospitality, equipping them with practical skills, confidence, and insight into premium food and beverage service – all set against the vibrant backdrop of the iconic Punchestown Festival.

Over a five-week period, 119 students took part in a hands-on training programme delivered by Sam Brancato, Aramark’s Standards & Training Business Partner. The journey began in the classrooms of St. Kevin’s and culminated in live-service experience at Punchestown itself, where students worked side-by-side with seasoned hospitality professionals.

Key Highlights:
• 119 TY students trained in professional food and drink service, tailored to large-scale event settings.
• 70 students employed by Aramark to work at the 2025 Punchestown Festival – gaining paid work experience in a premium environment.
• A live-service finale saw Aramark chefs and teams simulate real event scenarios, offering students invaluable hands-on exposure.

Beyond training and employment, Elevate 2025 fosters local pride by connecting young people and their families to one of Ireland’s most celebrated sporting and social events. It showcases the hospitality industry not just as a vibrant career path, but as a source of essential life skills – from teamwork and communication to professionalism and adaptability.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Aramark and St. Kevin’s on this meaningful project,” said Sue Wilson Punchestown Hospitality Manager and Elevate founder. “What started out as chat with a friend who teaches at the school has evolved into what could be a global template. Elevate 2025 is more than a programme – it’s creating strong links in the local community, providing skills and experience that will stand to these young people wherever life may take them, it offers paid employment on a local level ”.

“At Aramark, we believe our greatest strength is our people, and programmes like Elevate 2025 are a powerful way to invest in the future of our industry,” said Joanne Doyle, HR &Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director at Aramark Ireland. “By nurturing talent from a young age and providing real, hands-on experience, we’re not only developing individual potential, but also strengthening communities and building the workforce of tomorrow.”

As the students of St. Kevin’s step confidently into their roles at Punchestown 2025, they carry with them not only new skills but also the pride of representing their community on an important stage.

** ENDS **

 

 

 

 

The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition Returns for 2025 Punchestown Festival

Emphasis on sustainable fashion as Something Old/Something New Theme Announced

Introducing Guest Judges Aoife McNamara and Isabel Gleeson

An Exclusive Trip to the Bollinger Estate & Paris Awaits the Winner

 

The prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed competition returns to the Punchestown Festival at the end of April with some fresh new faces and a forward-thinking theme: “Something Old/ Something New” in recognition of the iconic champagne house’s B Corp status.

Emphasising sustainable fashion focusing on style and sophistication, the competition invites racegoers to showcase their ‘consciously curated’ ensembles for a chance to win an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime trip to the iconic Bollinger Estate in France’s stunning Champagne region with 5* Paris hotel and Michelin dining experience, flights and more.

The competition will take place over the first four days of the 2025 Punchestown Festival with daily finalists chosen from Tuesday 29th April to the culmination on Ladies Day, Friday, 2nd May. The style action will unfold in the elegant Bollinger Garden Style Quarter, where race goers will be immersed in the glamour, refinement, and timeless prestige synonymous with both Bollinger and the Punchestown Festival.

 

New Style Council Members
In line with the theme of Something Old/Something New, the Bollinger Style Council welcomes back familiar faces alongside new guest judges Aoife McNamara (@aoifemcnamarax) and Isabel Gleeson (@styledbyisabel_). Trailblazer Aoife McNamara, founder of Ireland’s first B Corp fashion brand Aoife Ireland and a leading voice in ethical style shares her perspective: “I’m truly honoured to be part of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition at the Punchestown Festival. Having grown up attending this event, I am excited to see race fashion embraced in a sustainable way”.

 

Sustainable Race Day Fashion
Head Judge Jess Colivet (@jesscolivet) explains how to approach race day style in a sustainable way: “When it comes to the Bollinger Best Dressed, sustainable fashion means putting together your look in a conscious way. Rather than rushing out and buying a whole new outfit, I would always suggest that you start by ‘shopping your own wardrobe’ first. I myself will be reinventing a look based on a piece that I have worn at four Punchestown festivals!

Jess continued “Fashion is evolving, people are borrowing pieces from friends, the rental market has exploded and both online and in store pre-loved fashion is the norm among younger generations. Identifying ethical brands and investing in a beautifully made coat, dress or piece that will stand the test of time is always a sustainable fashion choice. Think timeless quality. Each year the best dressed at Punchestown produces a wonderful story with a hat, bag, dress or even jewellery that has been passed down from generation to generation. That’s sustainable fashion at its best”.

Reflecting on the parallels between Bollinger’s commitment to sustainability and excellence and the upcoming best dressed competition, Michelle O’Sullivan of Findlater & Co. remarked: “Achieving B Corp certification (A globally respected benchmark that recognises businesses meeting the highest standards of social and environmental impac) is a proud milestone for Bollinger, aligning with their dedication to environmental responsibility, craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality. This has inspired the theme for the 2025 Bollinger Best Dressed at Punchestown. We’re looking for creativity, showcasing reinvented pieces and a balance of timeless elegance — an aesthetic that echoes the exceptional quality and heritage of Bollinger.”

The prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed competition remains a highlight of the Punchestown Festival taking place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May. Event tickets start from €35 with concessions for seniors, students and families (on Saturday 3rd May). For full event details please visit www.punchestown.com

Macra Na Feirme Day at The 2025 Punchestown Festival

A Celebration of Rural Ireland
Raising Awareness and Funds for ‘Make The Moove’ Initiative

Media Release Wednesday 26th February: Punchestown Racecourse is delighted to announce that the inaugural Macra Na Feirme Festival Day will take place on Thursday, May 1st, as part of the renowned Punchestown Festival. This special event, happening on day three of the jump racing finale, promises to be a fantastic celebration of Macra Na Feirme and its vibrant community of over 13,000 members nationwide.

With over 100,000 people expected to gather at the famous Kildare venue between Tuesday 29th April and Saturday 3rd May, there are few more suitable social occasions for rural, agricultural and equestrian communities to come together. Macra Na Feirme Day will take place on day three which features the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle, Barberstown Champion Novice Chase and the historic Mongey La Touche Cup Cross Country races.

Elaine Houlihan, President of Macra Na Feirme, is at the heart of this initiative, highlighting the significance of the day for the organisation and rural Ireland. Speaking about the collaboration, Elaine stated:

“Macra Na Feirme Day at Punchestown is a wonderful opportunity to bring our members together in a unique social setting while also supporting an important cause. We are delighted to partner with Punchestown to raise funds and awareness of our ‘Make The Moove’ initiative, which provides vital mental health support to farm families across Ireland whilst enjoying a much needed social day out. We advise Macra members to keep an eye on socials, the newsletter and the Whattsapp for ticket discount details”.

Emma Richardson, Punchestown Sales Team, expanded on the potential of the initiative: “The Punchestown Festival is a key date on the calendar for communities throughout rural Ireland. Collaborating with Macra Na Feirme brings this to a whole new level. Now we have an official event that with this dynamic organisation that provides their members with a fantastic day out whilst giving back to their community. You’re on to a winner straight away!”

Supporting Rural Mental Health

A key aspect of the day is its support for rural mental health through Make The Moove, Macra’s rural mental health initiative. A percentage of proceeds from tickets purchased by Macra members will be donated to this vital programme, which provides crucial services such as counselling, a crisis response team, and a dedicated helpline for farm families in need.

Macra Na Feirme Day at Punchestown is shaping up to be a truly memorable occasion, bringing together rural communities for a day of thrilling racing, music, style and support for an important cause.

The exclusive Macra ticket information will be communicated via the Macra newsletter, social channels and Whatsapp.

Media Release, Monday 8th April 2024:  With just three weeks to go and 100,000 people expected to attend, Punchestown Racecourse today reminded festival goers of exciting plans and enhancements for the upcoming 2024 Punchestown Festival running from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May.

 

The five day social and sporting highlight is a homecoming celebration of Irish jump racing, sport and culture. With a prize fund of over €3.4 million, twelve top tier grade one contests, season champions like Galopin Des Champs and household names including Willie Mullins, Rachael Blackmore and Paul Townend in action. Beyond the parade ring and into the enclosures the Punchestown Festival is Ireland’s largest sporting corporate hospitality event and will host over 17,000 guests across an impressive array of restaurants, pavilions and suites. The competition on track will be hard fought whilst the style stakes in the prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed, live music, street theatre and Shopping Village appeals to the social element of the attendees.

 

The Four Key Changes for Punchestown Festival 2024:

 

1.Earlier Start Times

The first two days of the 2024 Punchestown Festival will revert to a 2.30pm start from the current time of 3.40pm. Market research shows that around 70% of paying clients would ‘definitely or most probably’ like to see some of the festival days start and finish earlier.

 

 2.Ticket Products and Pricing

Whether it’s a business or a household value for money is particularly important now more than ever. Following a full review of ticket pricing and products there will be a price reduction to €30 for the first three days and €40 for Friday and Saturday of the 2024 Punchestown Festival for advance purchased tickets. There will be an additional €5 per ticket charge for on the day purchases excluding senior, student and family day concession tickets that can only be purchased on the day. As a premium sport and leisure event these prices compare very favourably to similar occasions.

As always group discounts apply and for larger groups it is recommended that they contact the racecourse office directly in advance. The original Flexi ticket will be replaced by the new Choice Ticket that can be used Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday. Senior, student and Family ticket concessions continue on a walk-up basis. All children under 14 years of age race for free all season.

 

3.Refreshed Festival Layout

The festival layout will undergo a refresh including the removal of the traditional reserved enclosure divide and the introduction of exciting new features around the parade ring enclosure. The famous Sky Bar, Bollinger Garden, Shopping and entertainment areas will remain as popular as ever with the Southern Enclosure accessible to all. The objective is to optimise the scope of the enclosures, utilise all available facilities which in turn will improve footfall, flow and reduce potential pressure points.

 

4. Enhance & Improve Raceday Experience

This point is neither new nor dynamic as the pursuit of excellent customer experience is an ongoing process. The enhancement of the race day visit will go hand-in-hand with the new layout. The Punchestown demographic is a diverse one with varied tastes and requirements for a memorable customer experience. Alongside our catering and service partners, we aim to deliver a selection of great quality food and beverage options with efficient, friendly service in comfortable surroundings. Whilst costs have increased across the board for product and services every effort has been made to minimise the impact on the customer.

 

Conor O’Neill Punchestown CEO explained the theory behind the strategy: “We say it time and time again that people make Punchestown, so it is those very people who have shaped and informed this plan and it is this plan that will help us deliver the best possible Punchestown experience we can to our customers who are the backbone of our business. Now we need support with feet on the ground and people through the gates. If it doesn’t work for the customer it ultimately won’t work for Punchestown, so I hope we’ve got the balance right as we look ahead to welcoming friends old and new to the 2024 upcoming Punchestown Festival.”

 

The 2024 Punchestown Festival will take place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. For full information please visit www.punchestown.com

*ENDS*

Editors Notes

Punchestown Festival 2024 Advance Ticket Prices

A letter from PKRF founder and organiser James Nolan.

The 32nd running of the “Have the Conversation – Say YES to Organ Donation” Punchestown Charity Race took place on Saturday 29th April 2023. The weather was absolutely fantastic and people stayed on in their thousands to cheer on all the jockeys and create a wonderful atmosphere providing a fitting finale to the Festival. Local Kilcullen championship winning footballer, Paul Bell expertly steered home Stuzzikini trained by Gordon Elliot to win the race from local Kilcullen beautician Sinead Smullen on board Jungle Cove trained by Jessica Harrington with Triona Burbage back in third on Diamondinthemud trained by Nigel Slevin. There really was an amazing atmosphere and most importantly all our jockeys completed safely and enjoyed the privilege of riding at the Punchestown Festival.

 

2023 was quite simply another phenomenal year for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund. The Jockeys managed to raise €94,158 on the day of the event, which is a new record for the past 32 years of the Charity Race. This means that the cumulative total raised to date is €1,796,835, which is absolutely incredible.

During the past two years we managed to support the following projects:

• We sponsored and helped the IKA establish a pilot peer support program for all kidney patients in Ireland. This program offers vital supports to patients and their families who are dealing with all the various issues and concerns that is all part of being a dialysis or transplant patient.

• We established the James Tracy/PKRF/Kidney Beam Exercise program for all Dialysis & Transplant patients, which will enable all patients to access free, online, live and on demand exercise classes, specifically tailored to all different levels of fitness and specifically for kidney patients.

• We continued our research into Polycystic Kidney Disease in partnership with the Irish Nephrology Society under the guidance of the Irish Research Council.

• We continued our support for our Art Therapy programs for Dialysis Patients in Tallaght & Waterford Dialysis Units – and we will expand this to Wexford in 2024.

• We continued to support Sports Programs for Dialysis & Transplant Patients.

• We organised a trip to Lourdes for one Dialysis patient and a carer.

So many people deserve huge thanks for making the charity race such an unbelievable success. The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund enjoys the privilege of being permitted to run our Charity Race during the Irish National Hunt Racing Festival at Punchestown Racecourse. Great credit is due to all the Team at Punchestown Racecourse who make our race day so special, as well as all the staff at The Turf Club who so generously volunteer their services on the day and also the staff at H.R.I. & R.A.C.E. who ensure our race is run correctly.

We are very grateful to all the owners and the trainers who have given continued support to our race, every year, for the past 32 years. We would like to acknowledge the various forms of media, whose coverage of our race in whatever way, is hugely important both to our charity and to all those people awaiting life-saving transplants; you all give hope to so many others by raising the profile of Organ Donor Awareness in Ireland.

On behalf of the charity I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund in any small way at all, as this has helped us to support various projects which, in turn improves the quality of life for those patients living with kidney illness and also helps us to create positive Organ Donor Awareness in Ireland.

I wish everyone continued good health.

Kind regards,

James Nolan
Chairman,
Punchestown Kidney
Research Fund
CHY 16613