A glorious start to the Punchestown Festival!

Almost 18,000 attendees enjoyed a glorious start to the opening leg of the five-day festival at Punchestown Racecourse. 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 basked in the glorious sunshine and soaked up the electric atmosphere.

The feature race on the card, the William Hill Champion Steeplechase (Grade 1) worth €300,000 did not disappoint with Marine Nationale, owned and trained by Barry Connell and ridden by Sean Flanagan, following up Cheltenham success at the Kildare venue. An emotional Barry Connell commenting “This is a great success for all the team and for Kildare. This is the horse of a lifetime. I am coming to Punchestown since I was his age with my father, (grandson Jack Connell) and this is a very special day for all my family, there will be cake later Jack!”

An exciting seven race card featuring no less than 3 grade ones, the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition and a whole new festival layout, ensured the opening day gave punters a great taste of what’s in store for the rest of the week at the County Kildare Venue.

Genevieve Ryan from Roscommon enjoyed a superb first 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 and shopped her own wardrobe first, Genevieve wowed the judges and attendees with her impeccable style and the story of how she curated her unique twist on the classic monochrome look.

Head judge Jess Colivet commented “Within 10 mins of arriving in the gate, she was clearly the one to beat! A perfect blend of sophistication and elegance, showcasing how a keen sense of fashion and attention to detail teamed with a sustainable ethos will always be a winner in the Bollinger style stakes at Punchestown!”

The shirt, a versatile piece purchased three years ago from MacBees in Killarney, recently underwent a facelift when Genevieve cleverly swapped the old buttons for new ones to refresh her look.

Her polka dot skirt was a recent purchase from Coosy worked so well with her Jimmy Choo shoes, a Depop bargain she nabbed online for €180. The real wow factor was her hat, a handmade with love at home piece finished with her 3 year old daughter’s favourite teddy’s bow. She accessorised perfectly with rings from Chupi, earrings from Faizie Maizie and her cloud bag by Aoife

Mullane was another Depop purchase.

The attendance was up on the opening day of the festival again this year with 17,842 in comparison to 16,361 in 2024 and 14,937 in 2023.

The first race tomorrow (Wednesday) goes to post at 2.30pm the feature being the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at 5.30pm. For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.

ENDS.

Mullins off the mark with first Grade 1 as British take two races early on

Newly minted British champion trainer, Willie Mullins secured the first Grade 1 of the Punchestown Festival but not for the first time, it wasn’t with the expected horse, as Irancy benefited from a peach of a ride by Mark Walsh to score in the KPMG CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE at 18/1. The seven-year-old led home a Mullins 1-2-3-4.
Although a winner at Grade 2 level in Fairyhouse subsequently, Irancy had been more than 32 lengths behind stablemate Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and 14 in arrears of another Closutton representative, Salvator Mundi, who subsequently delivered at Grade 1 level in Aintree.
Walsh opted not to get involved as the market leaders set strong early fractions. The signals from the 30/100 favourite, Kopek Des Bordes were not positive from the outset even with that suitable strong pace, as he made a number of mistakes under Paul Townend and his race was run after another at the penultimate obstacle.
In stark contrast, Walsh was sitting pretty, having asked Irancy to close the gap and a brilliant jump at the last put the affair to bed, as the gelding cantered to a nine-length triumph over Salvator Mundi, who had Patrick Mullins doing the steering, with Karbau and Danny Mullins in third and Kopek Des Bordes fourth.

“Irancy has always been a good horse and met with a setback after winning here earlier in the season, but it might have been the best thing to have happened as he came here fresh,” said Mullins.
“I gave Kopek Des Bordes a nice break after Cheltenham and probably gave him too much and should have brought him to somewhere like Ayr or Perth.
“Looking at him in the parade ring I thought he was carrying too much condition and that showed in today’s pace.”
“Fair play to Willie for getting this lad to the track because he is a seven-year-old and he has had a lot of problems,” said Walsh. “Luckily this year everything has gone right for him and he deserved that big race today.

“Once we jumped the third hurdle at the top of the hill, the two lads were gone on me and I couldn’t go any quicker, so I didn’t force this fella.
“He didn’t come down the hill in Cheltenham great so I just held him together going down the hill here in Punchestown and just let him go his own comfortable stride. I wasn’t chasing them. Luckily enough, they came back to me going to the second last.”
There was a strong British tinge to the opening of the Punchestown Festival, with the second and third races headed for export.
Ascending Lark went off at an attractive 8/1 in the Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle despite having won her previous five races for the red-hot team of trainer Harry Derham and his Mitchelstown-born jockey, Paul O’Brien and going to post with only 10-6 on her back.
Derham revealed afterwards that it took him quite a while to get a handle on the Great Pretender mare after he acquired her from Tipperary trainer, Liz Lalor, but patience proved a virtue.
““There is not many that win six never mind six in a row,” said Derham, who was saddling his first winner at the Punchestown Festival but had memorably overseen Clan Des Obeaux’s Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup triumph in 2021 when assistant to his uncle, Paul Nicholls.
“We didn’t plan on being that far back but she’s a good horse. He said he was going to ride her to come home and come home she has. Will (Watt) gave John (Lalor) half of her as a wedding present so it was quite the gift!

“A couple of times last year I was on the verge of retiring her. I couldn’t get her right… but her owners were very patient and thank God they were as she’s some mare.”
The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle was won by an English trainer in its inaugural running 12 months ago, when Tom Lacey’s Tune In A Box scored to delirious celebrations.
And there were similar scenes this time around when Scottish conditioner, Mike Smith legged his teenage son Ben up on Buy Some Time to score at 50/1.
Smith, who has known the sponsor, Ronnie Bartlett since their riding days, revealed that he had targeted this €100,000 contest for some time.
“Ben had to torture himself to get down to do the weight and he was spot on,” said Smith. “Is there anything better than a day like today at the Punchestown Festival and your son winning like that. It doesn’t come any better than that.
“I used to ride in point-to-points against Ronnie years ago. We had some fun doing it and there are some stories to tell.
“When he jumped the second last I thought we can finish in the first four and then he just galloped away.
“They all tell you that you can’t beat the Irish and Willie (Mullins)comes over and beats us all, but it doesn’t always happen that way. You have to be brave to take the risk and throw the darts!”
Taghmon owner/trainer, Richie O’Keeffe showed that it isn’t only Mullins that can lead the opposition a merry dance as he produced the first two home in the historic Kildare Hunt Club Chase for the Ladies Cup, with Transprint (22/1) coming late under a vigorous drive from Tony Doyle to deny Turnupdevolume and Cheltenham Festival-winning pilot, Barry Stone.

Marine Nationale did not go off favourite despite winning the Cheltenham Champion Chase but the doubters were silenced as Barry Connell’s pride and joy cantered to a seven-length triumph over the gutsy Captain Guinness in the feature of Punchestown Festival’s opening day, the WILLIAM HILL CHAMPION CHASE.
Willie Mullins had secured the first two Grade 1 contests on the programme and his Ryanair Chase winner, Fact To File was sent off the 11/10 favourite to complete the full deck stepping back to two miles.

The eight-year-old found the going too hot, however, and was struggling to when the taps were turned on between the fourth- and third-last fences.
At that juncture, the eye was drawn to Paul Townend and El Fabiolo, who loomed outside the pace-setting former Champion Chaser, Captain Guinness and Solness, with Sean Flanagan nudging Marine Nationale into position having been found temporarily in a pocket.

Once with space to move into, Flanagan returned to motionless setting approaching the second-last, while Townend started to squeeze, albeit only slightly. Not for the first time in his career, however, El Fabiolo paid scant regard to an obstacle, ploughing through it and dumping his helpless pilot to the turf
From there, it was bar a fall and that never looked likely, the margin stretching to easy seven lengths at the lollipop.

“I felt that the horse had improved from every run and improved again from Cheltenham and we were proved right,” said an exultant Connell, who is a rarity, if not unique at this level as an owner and trainer.
“He won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner going forward.
“Our target is to win three (at Cheltenham) and equal Badsworth Boy, who is the only horse in history to win three Champion Chases despite all the storied horses over the years.
“He’s only eight. That’s his 12th run. No mileage on the clock so he can go back next year, nine and ten, and he grows an extra leg at Cheltenham. He’s just so laidback, goes through the gears, does enough, doesn’t burn any extra petrol than what he needs.
“It’s fantastic as he is the most wonderful creature. Everybody in the yard has had a huge part to play in this. Garret (Cotter) rides him every day and looks after him… it’s a great success story for Kildare. We’re thrilled. We’ve a small little yard (in , we’ve only 13, 14 horses riding out and we’re able to punch at the highest level if we get the ammunition and this is the horse of a lifetime.”
Flanagan was equally overjoyed and unsurprised.
“I felt coming into it he was a bit of an underdog, not an underdog, but he wasn’t talked about,” the jockey observed. “All the talk was Fact To File. He’s done what I was feeling. I actually probably got a better feel off him at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival than I did at Cheltenham. I got there a little bit soon at Cheltenham and he idled a bit up the hill. He’s done that very well there.
“I had a little bit of a moment. JJ (Slevin, on Solness) and Rachael (Blackmore, on Captain Guinness) are two very solid riders and I was behind them turning into the straight and I said, ‘I’m going to struggle to get out of here.’ For a brief second I half-thought about edging out but I said no, I’d bide my time, I’d plenty of horse. I could see Paul making a move and I waited until we came into the straight and started edging out. I was confident enough that we would win.
“Barry holds the horse in such high regard. As he says, he’s the horse of a lifetime. I’ve ridden a lot of horses through the years and I’ve never ridden anything like him.
“I’ve said several times before, I’m riding 20 years and people say, ‘Why do you still get out of bed and go every day,’ and that’s why. You’re looking for one, just one like him, and I think we’ve found one!”

Having landed an apparently unconsidered outsider to score in the day’s first Grade 1 with 18/1 shot Irancy in the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle, champion trainer, Mullins landed the second, the DOOLEY INSURANCE CHAMPION NOVICE CHASE with Champ Kiely, who went off at 22/1 but upset 11/8 favourite and stablemate, Ballyburn by six and a half lengths.
It was an incident-packed contest, with three other Mullins competitors coming a cropper along the way.
The most disappointing was the fall of Lecky Watson, the Brown Advisory winner at Cheltenham, who brought down the strongly fancied Impaire Et Passe, coming into the race off a very impressive triumph at this level at Aintree.

Ile Atlantique also fell but thankfully, all three horses and riders appeared none the worse for wear afterwards.
Townend sent Ballyburn to take it up from Polly Gundry’s Don’t Rightly Know and Harry Cobden heading out on the final circuit but Danny Mullins in the Mags Masterson colours moved on his outside turning for home and the writing was on the wall for favourite backers.
All that was needed was a safe leap at the last and he got it, before galloping to the line.

Danny, who time and again has delivered Grade 1 winners for his uncle, most recently with Il Etait Temps at Sandown on Saturday to confirm the annexation of a second straight British trainers’ championship, hailed the maestro for turning Champ Kiely around quickly, after finishing third in the WillowWarm Gold Cup nine days ago.
“He never really attacked when the loose horse upset him in Fairyhouse last week,” he reported. “But in fairness to Willie, he wasn’t afraid to come back here. Knew the variable was stepping up five furlongs in trip and there was every chance he’d go and do that.

“I knew Paul was the horse to beat. The Gigginstown one (Stellar Story) was going to play a part but we got the better of him off the bend and he is a good horse to put it to bed nicely. For me, I’m just so lucky to be part of the team in Willie’s. I’m just blessed to be on the team and get to ride some of the good ones on these days
Mullins made it three big-priced winners in a row when Ruth Dudfield steered Wonderful Everyday to secure the Goffs Defender Bumper at 16/1 with Stephen Connor guiding the Stuart Crawford-trained Green Hint to second.

The day’s concluding race, the Willie Coonan Memorial INH Flat Race went to the Gavin Cromwell-trained debutant Bud Fox. Ridden by the relentless Derek O’Connor, who had steered him to victory in a maiden point-to-point at his local Bellharbour venue in February, the four-year-old could be picked out among a group of horses in contention before they hit the home straight.
He stayed on soundly to win by four and a quarter lengths from Celestial Tune, who is trained by Tom Cooper and was ridden by Barry Stone, a Cheltenham winner in March, who was settling for the silver medal position for the second time in the day, having been just denied in the opening Kildare Hunt Club Chase for the Ladies Cup.
The attendance on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival was 17,842, up from 16,361 in 2024.

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.”

The 2025 Punchestown Festival Five Day Celebration Gets Underway Tuesday 29 April

MEDIA RELEASE – 28th April 2025 – The grand finale of an unforgettable jump racing season takes centre stage as the 2025 Punchestown Festival kicks off Tuesday 29th April and runs until Saturday 3rd May at the iconic Punchestown Racecourse, Co. Kildare.

Organisers are anticipating over 100,000 visitors across five spectacular days, with festival fans traveling from across Ireland, the UK, Italy, United States and even Australia to be part of this world-class celebration of sport and culture at the home of Irish jump racing.

Racing Ahead with Thrilling Clashes and Visiting Raiders

Across 40 races, featuring 12 Grade 1 contests and €3.5 million in prize money, the Punchestown Festival once again delivers the very best in jump racing. All indications are that major showdowns are guaranteed with old rivals, young pretenders and redemption missions on the cards. The opening day features a massive clash between Cheltenham heroes Marine Nationale and J.P. McManus’s Fact To File. The Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup will see superstar Galopin Des Champs take on a challenge from the impressive Spillane’s Tower whilst Friday’s Boodles Champion Hurdle is being billed as the race of the season with Constitution Hill confirmed to meet State Man and Golden Ace amongst others.

Headlining the action is an incredible line-up of training and riding talent including the unstoppable Irish and recently crowned British champion trainer Willie Mullins along with his son, Grand National winning rider Patrick Mullins, champion jockey elect Paul Townend, top trainers Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead, Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Gavin Cromwell and the ever popular Rachael Blackmore among those in action.

What is particularly evident at entry stage is the significant increase in UK trained runners at the festival with numbers returning to the heights last seen in 2008. Festival friends and regulars Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O’Neill, Harry Derham and Anthony Honeyball are joined by new names and faces to sustain the visitor involvement for the future. The UK contribution is integral to the festival as it not only generates vastly increased interest and TV viewer numbers from across the Irish sea but also each horse running brings with them owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and associated entourages that require accommodation, hospitality and entertainment in the locality. Over 20% of the festival attendance hail from outside of Ireland so the event is a major contributor to the Kildare tourism numbers and campaign.

The track team have prepared, mowed, aerated, fed and watered over 170 acres of racing ground or the equivalent of around 42 Croke Park pitches. The main team of five men have crafted 330 metres of hand filled steeplechase fence, 180 sections of handmade hurdles and erected just under 10 kilometres of white racing rail all to provide what is essentially a fresh race track each of the five days

New For Punchestown 25

In 2025, the Punchestown team rolls out four key innovations based on customer feedback and trial runs:
• Earlier start times of 2.30pm have been rolled out across the week with the exception of Friday that remains at 3.40pm.
• The revamped Festival layout and entertainment programme, removing reserved enclosure barriers and improving flow, was very well received in 2024 so this along with further enhancements and improvements are in place for 2025.
• Ticket Price Freeze: Prices were reduced last year with discounts for those that book in advance of festival week. Generous concessions remain for senior, student and family (Saturday) and free entry for children under 14 throughout the week.
• Friday Remote Drop & Collect Bus Service to address the changes in transport habits, Naas racecourse and Killashee Hotel are the two off-site drop and collect points on Festival Friday. From 12 noon. Free out and €5 cash back. Full transport services available on www.punchestown.com

Festival Social Scene

Like all great celebrations the Punchestown party will feature great live music throughout the enclosures with Spring Break playing floor fillers for the first three days and exciting new DJ performances planned for Friday and Saturday evenings.

17,000 hospitality guests from 806 companies (including 164 from the UK) will enjoy delicious seasonal menus crafted by a 68-strong team of chefs, supported by over 760 hospitality staff. Three and a half tonnes of fresh vegetables, 60 kilos of artisan cheeses, and 15,000 exquisite canapés and desserts will be served across the five days. A team of almost 300 bar staff will pour an estimated 132,000 pints, measure 20,000 shorts and fill 8,000 champagne glasses.

Style lovers will once again flock to the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition, open to all, taking place over the first four days and culminating in the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 2nd May. Fresh for 2025 is the sustainable theme of Something Old/Something New focusing on conscious fashion choices. New to the Style Council judges are multi-award winning sustainable designer Aoife McNamara and acclaimed stylist Isabel Gleeson.

Further additions include the Bollinger Concierge marquee where Kildare-based beauty brand Ayu will have a host of professional make-up artists offering make-up top-up and professional advice. Vision Ireland will have specially curated rails of pre-loved designer garments to showcase just how stylish sustainable fashion can be.

People Make Punchestown – Community & Charity

Beyond the track, Punchestown plays a vital role in the local community where the Festival contributes over €60 million annually. What is considered the most important race of the festival because it makes the biggest difference is the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity race and in it’s 34th year of running is on target to break the €2,000,000 fundraising mark.

At the centre of the festival is community and at the centre of community is family and the GAA. We are delighted to continue our great association with Naas, Eadestown and Ballymore Eustace GAA clubs who steward the track, fences, hurdles, and horse crossing areas throughout the site in return for club funding.

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 – a pioneering Transition Year (TY) programme that combines community involvement, real-world skills training, and local pride. Following a five week training programme, 70 St. Kevins College transition year students will be employed by Aramark for paid work experience at the upcoming Punchestown Festival.

Each year a number of national charities are joined by local schools in the official bucket collection campaign. This year we are proud to welcome Down Syndrome Ireland, St. Corban’s National School, St. Brigid’s Hospice and The Samaratin’s and wish them the very best in their fund raising endeavours.

Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill said:

“There is something really special about the buzz ahead of this year’s Punchestown Festival. It’s even more than the brilliant achievements by our horses, jockeys, owners and trainers throughout the season. It’s the local and national enthusiasm and pride that are reflected not only in bookings and sales but in requests for information, signage, enquiries about how they get involved. People Make Punchestown and there is a great appetite and goodwill for the event this year even more than previous. Combine this with a forecast that we can only wish for and we are in for a magic week. See you at Punchestown!”

The 2025 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May at Punchestown Racecourse. Tickets and full information available at www.punchestown.com.

ENDS

DAR Golf Construction Announced as Official Sponsor at Punchestown Festival

• Widening of the finishing straight by approx. 35 metres
• Drainage system includes 27,000 linear metes of sand slits, 3,500meters of piped drainage and 1,500meters of main carrier drains
• Repositioning and increased capacity to the water reservoir in front of the Grandstand
• Improve and grade the bend into the straight (not impacting on existing racing ground)
• Installation of a service road on the inside of the newly widened finishing straight
• Upgrade to the track crossing after the finishing line
• 80,000 tonnes of subsoil have been moved to facilitate the widening of the finishing straight (this ground has been raised by approx. 4 meters in places)
• 27,000sq meters of new track racing surface merged to the existing finishing straight
• Completion and lining of a new water reservoir (capacity will increase from 9,000m3 to 12,500m3)

• Phase 2: Blackhills Extension: A 650-metre extension at the Blackhills bend is underway, enabling greater flexibility in race distances and start locations while enhancing the overall racing programme.

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

Media Release, Wednesday 23^rd 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 2^nd 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

• We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 BritVic Inter School Art Competition at Punchestown.
• 17 schools participated in this years Punchestown Festival Schools Art Competition sponsored by BritVic.
• The Senior classes had the task of designing and creating a trophy to be awarded to the winning connections of a the first race on Saturday, May 3rd.
• The brief was simple – using their creativity and craftsmanship, the students aimed to craft a unique symbol of victory.
• The junior classes were given the exciting challenge of designing a vibrant and playful mane for their horse, using as many fun and colourful materials as they could find. From ribbons and beads to feathers and sparkles, the students let their creativity run wild.

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

Lawlor’s of Naas Strengthen Historic Ties with Punchestown Upgrade

Punchestown Racecourse is proud to announce the expansion of its partnership with Lawlor’s of Naas, an establishment synonymous with race day hospitality. Building on a longstanding legacy spanning more than 112 years, Lawlor’s has elevated its support as sponsor of one of the most competitive races the week – the €100,000 Lawlor’s Of Naas Listed Handicap Hurdle on Festival Saturday, May 3rd.

Lawlors Hotel is a cornerstone in the hospitality aspect of the festival. With over 20% of the attendance travelling from the UK and beyond, where racegoers begin and end their Punchestown race day experience has become paramount. With a proven track record of excellence spanning back to 1913 when founder Bridget Lawlor was appointed official caterer at the racecourse the association between the two Kildare landmarks has been a positive one to say the least.

Racegoers and residents can expect excellent food and beverage offering both before and after racing each day with live entertainment each evening. The festival shuttle bus service departs opposite the hotel front door making it a very convenient choice.

Lawlor’s boasts an unbeatable location in the centre of Naas town and has grown to become a flagship Kildare hotel having undergone a multi-million euro redevelopment. Additions include Vi’s Restaurant and iconic round bar, a 360 person capacity ballroom, the Glending Suite for groups of up to 250, a decorative private garden, increased capacity to 138 bedrooms and a underground car park for 120 cars.

Dee Nix, General Manager at Lawlor’s of Naas, spoke to the importance of the moment:

“The Punchestown Festival is a flagship event on our calendar, and our connection with it is woven into our heritage. Enhancing our support is not just a milestone—it’s a celebration of shared values between Lawlors and Punchestown – excellence in hospitality, community, and tradition. We’re honoured to be part of something so special and look forward to welcoming friends old and new through the doors in a few days time.”

Janet Creighton, representing Punchestown Sponsorship, added: 

“The legacy between Lawlors and Punchestown is unique and long-standing, and this new level of support is a reflection of their commitment to this tradition. It is so important to us that visitors have as great a time outside the racecourse gates as they do inside. With Jack Tierney, Dee Nix, and the entire Lawlor’s team we know that they are in the best of care”

The 2025 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May. Full event information and ticket sales available on www.punchestown.com

Champions coming home as PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL GRADE 1 ENTRIES unveiled

Galopin Des Champs faces elite opposition, Gordon Elliott looks forward to a Tea party and Russell considers beefing up British raiding party

Galopin Des Champs is in line to face one of the deepest fields in the history of the LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP and that is just one of the reasons to get excited as entries for Punchestown Festival’s dozen Grade 1 contests are released today.
The cream of the crop look to bring the curtain down on another stellar season for Irish racing, with all the Cheltenham champions targeting a coveted double and a wonderful cast of ultra talented rivals attempting to spoil the party at the Kildare venue, which opens to the masses of horse lovers and revellers from Tuesday, April 30th to Saturday, May 4th.
The pulsating action that ends the jumping year represents another opportunity to marvel at the genius of the peerless Willie Mullins and his team at Closutton. The maestro is currently leading the race to to become the first Irish-based jumps trainer to be British champion since Vincent O’Brien made it two-in-a-row in 1954.
But Punchestown is his happy place and he has signalled his intent to send the usual strong team to the jamboree which will have added intrigue as Paul Townend attempts to stave off the sustained challenge of Jack Kennedy, who is bidding to become champion jockey for the first time.
Gordon Elliott’s support has been the foundation of Kennedy’s bid and he will be doing everything he can to help the Dingle pilot get over the line.
Henry de Bromhead and Gavin Cromwell are other big-time operators seeking to add to the positive memory bank of Punchestown but smaller scale firms such as those run by Martin Brassil, Jimmy Mangan and Tom Gibney have already bloodied the nose of their higher profile colleagues this year and will be looking to do just the same in Grade 1 fare to draw bring an unforgettable campaign to a memorable conclusion.
Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls are familiar cross-channel names with entries, while Anthony Honeyball is an annual visitor to Punchestown who has saddled winners in the last three years and will be going all out to make it four.
The Full Circle Series, a new initiative targeting mid-level hurdlers, has attracted significant support from British trainers, with the likes of Ben Pauling, Tom Lacey and Charlie Longsdon sending runners.
The possibility of some of Lucinda Russell’s string making the journey is a mouth-watering one, with Corach Rambler and Ahoy Senor among her potential representatives in the LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP.

LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP
(Wednesday, May 1st – 22 entries)

Galopin Des Champs heads the Cheltenham 1-2-3 for the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, while there are numerous other dangerous rivals, including the eight-year-old’s Punchestown nemesis Fastorslow.
The Mullins-trained, Audrey Turley-owned Galopin Des Champs elevated his reputation by joining the rare group of horses to go back-to-back in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. The Timos gelding was electric once more at Prestbury Park but had his colours lowered in this race last year by Fastorslow when attempting to emulate Sizing John’s 2017 feat of registering the Irish, Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cup treble.
It is on again and Fastorslow resumes rivalries, representing long-time Punchestown supporters Seán and Bernardine Mulryan of the Ballymore Group, as well as expert conditioner Martin Brassil.
Their pride and joy also got the better of Galopin Des Champs at this track in the John Durkan Memorial last October but unseated JJ Slevin while still travelling well at Cheltenham, albeit they were still a long way from home.
There are no worries about the Mullins star’s liking for the Kildare venue, as he is a dual winner at the track, including at the 2021 festival.
Lucinda Russell has entered Corach Rambler, who finished third at Cheltenham but fell at the first when looking to win a second Grand National in succession at Aintree on Saturday. Also in the mix for the Scottish handler is Ahoy Senor, who ran a cracker when getting within a half-length of Gerri Colombe in the Bowl on Merseyside.
Grand National winner I Am Maximus is among six entries for Mullins, while Hewick would be a very popular winner for ‘Shark’ Hanlon and TJ McDonald, with the globetrotting King George VI Chase winner a lively contender should he line up.
Gordon Elliott has five entries. They are Gerri Colombe, who followed up his gutsy runner-up finish with that Aintree triumph, Grand National runner-up Delta Work, fourth-place Aintree finisher Galvin, dual Grade 1 winning chaser Conflated and Galway Plate winner Ash Tree Meadow.
That trio have probably run their last races of the season, Elliott reports and with Conflated preferring to go left-handed, that leaves one potential representative.
“Ash Tree Meadow is very versatile in terms of trip,” said Elliott. “We have him in the William Hill Champion Chase as well so we’ll keep an open mind on that and see what way the ground is looking. But I would imagine he will take up one of the engagements.”
Nicky Henderson, who has enjoyed so much success over the years at Punchestown, has reported that this race is definitely a potential target for Shishkin, with Bravemansgame, who finished third in a thrilling finish last year, entered by Paul Nicholls.

BOODLES CHAMPION HURDLE
(Friday, May 3rd – 7 entries)

State Man loves it at Punchestown, where he has won four times, adding two Morgiana Hurdles to a brace of festival successes, including in last year’s Boodles Champion Hurdle. Marie Donnelly’s nine-time Grade 1 winner arrives in Punchestown this year as champion of his division and his nearest rival at Cheltenham, Irish Point is likely to attempt to reverse that result.
“Irish Point also has the option for running in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle. He ran very well in the Champion Hurdle so this has to be in the mix for him again,” Elliott declared.
“With Teahupoo, Sire Du Berlais and Beacon Edge for the Stayers’, we might just be looking at this more to split them up. And given he ran so well in Cheltenham, you’d be keen to try Irish Point at two miles again.”
State Man is one of four Willie Mullins entries, with dramatic Aintree Hurdle victor Impaire Et Passe, a Punchestown Festival winner last year, among them. Lossiemouth would certainly be an interesting runner but the Mares’ Hurdle hero is probably more likely to display her wares in Saturday’s Coolmore Irish EBF Champion Hurdle confined to her gender.
Bob Olinger is another possible rival. He has been reinvigorated this year and after chasing home State Man at the Dublin Racing Festival, was an unlucky loser at Aintree, touched off just a nose by Impaire Et Passe.

LADBROKES CHAMPION STAYERS’ HURDLE
(Thursday, May 2nd – 19 entries)

Teahupoo has long been touted as a staying star and Robcour’s relentless galloper has been handled expertly by Gordon Elliott to justify favouritism in beating the best of his division last month.
That was only his second run of the season, having debuted in garnering the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December. He was beaten only three lengths in third by Klassical Dream last year but is a fresher horse this term, as well as a more mature one.
“Teahupoo is in great order and this would look the logical step for him. We didn’t go to Liverpool with the intention of going here and it’s all systems go now for Punchestown. Everything has gone smoothly since Cheltenham and we’re pleased with him.
“Beacon Edge will probably go too. Sire Du Berlais missed Liverpool but the plan is sign off for the season with him here.”
Buddy One followed up his Cheltenham fourth by finishing second at Aintree and would be a very popular winner for the Gilligan family, while the reliable Home By The Lee could get the green light by Joseph O’Brien.
Former Grand National winner Noble Yeats, who won the Cleeve Hurdle earlier this year, has been given an entry while Champ (Nicky Henderson) and Dashel Drasher (Jeremy Scott) are the possible cross-channel contestants.

WILLIAM HILL CHAMPION CHASE
(Tuesday, April 30th – 12 entries)

This is traditionally one of the most thrilling spectacles of the week and Henry de Bromhead is aiming to let Captain Guinness make his bid for double glory, after the consistent gelding finally laid his Grade 1 bogey at Prestbury Park.
Nicky Henderson has said that Jonbon could very well take him on, given that the eight-year-old missed Cheltenham and illustrated his well being by winning the Melling Chase over two and a half miles.
El Fabiolo would be on a retrieval mission for Mullins and the Munir/Souede ownership team after fluffing his lines when odds-on at Cheltenham.
“I think we’ll go here with Fil Dor,” Elliott stated. “He ran creditably at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse, both times maybe shaping a little better than the bare result and maybe looking like a horse that might appreciate coming back to this trip.”

BALLYMORE CHAMPION FOUR-YEAR-OLD HURDLE
(Saturday, May 4th – 16 entries)

Sir Gino is the star of the juvenile category after his Cheltenham and Aintree successes. He has been given the option of travelling to Kildare by Nicky Henderson where he would face some high calibre opposition were he to make the trip.
Bottler’secret is a very inexperienced but clearly talented individual that sauntered to Grade 2 victory for Gavin Cromwell at Fairyhouse, having blitzed the opposition when only making his hurdling debut at Naas in February.
Immutable would be a very interesting runner for Joe Murphy, while Willie Mullins is heavily represented as usual, his squad headed by the amazingly consistent Kargese. Nurburgring missed Aintree and would be a leading contender for Joseph O’Brien, while Kalif Du Berlais, who chased home Bottler’secret in Fairyhouse, could be sent back to Ireland by Paul Nicholls.
Kala Conti hasn’t run since finishing a close fifth to Kargese at the Dublin Racing Festival, but beat Kenny Alexander’s filly prior to that.

TUESDAY, APRIL 30 – ADDITIONAL GRADE 1 RACES

There are 22 entries for the KPMG CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE with Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel, owned by the all-conquering Robcour, the double chaser in the two-mile novice hurdling division.
Willie Mullins has pencilled in the contest as a possibility for 16 charges, including Ballyburn, who won over the intermediate trip at Cheltenham and may be more likely to line up in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle on Friday.
Mystical Power was reeled in by Slade Steel up the straight at Cheltenham but the son of Annie Power went one better in Grade 1 competition at Aintree on Saturday.
Gordon Elliott has a number of options, including Firefox, who beat Ballyburn in their maiden hurdle and has been placed at both Cheltenham and Aintree, latterly behind Mystical Power.
“I wouldn’t rule out Firefox running,” said Elliott. “He wasn’t that busy from his maiden hurdle through to Cheltenham. He had just the one run. He progressed from his Cheltenham run to run really well in Aintree. We’ll see how he is after that and we’ll let the horse tell us.
“I’d imagine King Of Kingsfield will go here. He’s a horse that does like nice ground and was probably undone by the soft ground in Cheltenham. We skipped Aintree then on account of the ground so this is very much a target.”
The DOOLEYS INSURANCE GROUP CHAMPION NOVICE CHASE has attracted 19 entries. Emmet Mullins won it last year with Feronily and facile National Hunt Chase victor, Corbetts Cross would be an intriguing runner were he to take his place, having finished a close-up third in the Aintree Bowl against the senior Grade 1 chasers.
Nick Rockett, Tactical Move and Embassy Gardens are among the entries for Willie Mullins, while Inothewayurthinkin, who followed up success in the Kim Muir with a comfortable Grade 1 triumph at Aintree on Saturday, would be a real contender for Gavin Cromwell and owner JP McManus.
Irish Grand National hero Intense Raffles could be asked to step up to top-flight fare by Tom Gibney, while Spillane’s Tower reminded everyone of the supreme skills of Conna trainer Jimmy Mangan, when scoring in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse.
Henry de Bromhead-trained Brown Advisory runner-up, Monty’s Star would bring the Cheltenham form, which Elliott will hope can be turned over.
“American Mike will run. He just didn’t fire at Cheltenham but he is a talented horse. He beat Fact Or File earlier in the season. He showed a really good attitude to win the Ten Up in February. The plan after Cheltenham was to come here and that’s what we’ll do.
“Salvador Ziggy didn’t fire either at Cheltenham. We’ll see with him. He’s a possible runner but he does want good ground.
“Three Card Brag has had an interrupted season but is a very nice horse. So I wouldn’t be averse to letting him take his chance.”

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 – ADDITIONAL GRADE 1 RACES

Willie Mullins could saddle two Grade 1 winning novices, Dancing City and Readin Tommy Wrong, who are among his 16 entrants in the CHANNOR REAL ESTATE GROUP NOVICE HURDLE.
There are 28 entries in total but it is Gordon Elliott who is likely to saddle the favourite in Stellar Story, as the Gigginstown House Stud owned galloper destroyed a strong field to win the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham by seven and a half lengths.
“Stellar Story came out of Cheltenham in good shape. The plan then was to come here and he is very much on the ticket. He always looked like he’d make into a good staying novice. While he didn’t run up to his best at Dublin Racing Festival, at Cheltenham, he showed what he was capable of.
“We were very happy with Staffordshire Knot’s run in Aintree behind Brighterdaysahead. He looked like a horse who’d relish stepping up to three miles so I’d say he’ll run as well.
“Three miles is certainly Search For Glory’s thing so it’s quite likely he could turn up here. Better Days Ahead has the option of running in this or the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. It was the intention to go to Punchestown after Cheltenham with him and that’s still the plan. He’s pretty versatile trip-wise. He won the Martin Pipe over two and a half but has very good form at two miles as well.”
Cullentra House will make a bold bid for honours in the RACE & STAY AT PUNCHESTOWN INH FLAT RACE, which has 22 entries. Closutton’s Jasmin De Vaux will be attempting the double but Elliot saddled the runner-up, third and sixth in the Champion Bumper and Romeo Coolio, Jalon D’oudairies and The Yellow Clay are among the darts he could throw at this Grade 1.
“They’re all young horses of course but they acquitted themselves really well at Cheltenham and this seems the next logical step for them,” said Elliott. “Their future is all in front of them and we’ll see how they are in the next couple of weeks but we would expect to have a strong representation.”
Fergal O’Brien has entered his exciting Aintree runner-up Tripoli Flyer, while Barry Connell’s facile Naas victor, William Munny would be a fascinating contender having swerved the British festivals.

THURSDAY, MAY 2 – ADDITIONAL GRADE 1 RACES

The BARBERSTOWN CASTLE NOVICE CHASE has a lucky 13 possible runners with the Susannah Ricci owned Gaelic Warrior heading the baker’s dozen after his impressive Arkle Chase triumph. Given his preference for running right-handed, he should be very difficult to beat though Willie Mullins might also saddle Blood Destiny, who seems best at the minimum trip.
Philip Rothwell has put his improving chaser Captains Nephew into the mix, and Con O’Keeffe has given his admirable mare, Silent Approach the option.

FRIDAY, MAY 3 – ADDITIONAL GRADE 1 RACES

A whopping tally of 35 horses are under consideration for the ALANNA HOMES CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE. Ballyburn is the standout. Ronnie Bartlett’s exciting six-year-old won the Gallagher at Cheltenham by 13 lengths after having subsequent Supreme winner, Slade Steel seven lengths back at the Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown.
Jeriko Du Reponet and Jingko Blue could be given the office by Nicky Henderson, while Caldwell Potter, formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, has an entry from Paul Nicholls. Elliott will certainly be represented.
The aforementioned Firefox and Better Days Ahead have this as an option.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 – ADDITIONAL GRADE 1 RACES

There are 22 entries for the COOLMORE IRISH EBF MARES’ CHAMPION HURDLE. Cheltenham heroine, Lossiemouth is the standout, with Telmesomethinggirl, Lantry Lady and Hispanic Moon all potential opposition having run brilliantly at Prestbury Park for Henry de Bromhead.