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Punchestown Festival Gets Underway As Racing Celebrates Historic Season

MEDIA RELEASE 29th APRIL 2024: They’re coming home! The winners, the heroes and the champions return to the home of Irish jump racing tomorrow for the grand finale of what has been a history making season, as the 2024 Punchestown Festival kicks off from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May.

Organisers anticipate an attendance of 100,000 people across the five-day event that attracts visitors from throughout Ireland, the UK, Canda and even as far as Australia making the pilgrimage to the hallowed amphitheatre. The main attraction is the prestigious top-class racing that showcases the very best of Irish racing talent and the stars of the show include the recently crowned Champion Trainer in Britain Willie Mullins, Racheal Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead and Gordon Elliott.

With €3.5 million in prize money on offer across 40 races featuring 12 grade one contests the standard will be as high as ever. Epic clashes of old adversaries like dual Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs and 2023 Punchestown Gold Cup winner Fastorslow are top of the bill. In fact, a majority of feature race winners from this years Cheltenham Festival are set to line up across the week at Punchestown. Another tantalising showdown has emerged in the champion jockey category where reigning champion Paul Townend is hoping to make up ground on Dingle native Jack Kennedy who rides for the Gordon Elliott stable.

Following a reinvigorated recruitment campaign throughout the UK the number of British trained runners has more than trebled since last year. This is a very encouraging trend as hosting overseas horses and connections is a unique feature of the festival. There are many new names amongst the British trainers travelling as the next generation of handlers emerge.

The Punchestown team have committed to deliver four strategic changes at this years flagship racing festival. Following market research and stakeholder consultation, the first two days will start at the earlier time of 2.30pm. Ticket prices have been dropped to just €30 early in the week and €40 for Friday and Saturday with concessions for seniors, students and families. Children under fourteen year so f age race for free every day at Punchestown throughout the season. The Festival layout has undergone a revamp with the old reserved enclosure barrier removed and new features included throughout. Finally, improved and enhanced food and beverage offerings and service are introduced across the site.

People make Punchestown and key to all great celebrations is the combination of guest list, live entertainment, delicious food, amazing style and this is where the Punchestown Festival delivers in spades. Over 17,000 hospitality clients from 795 companies, 158 of which are UK based, will enjoy delicious seasonal menus prepared and served by 60 chefs, 420 catering staff and 280 bar staff. Catering for this number means large scale and three tonnes of fresh vegetables, over 60 kilos of artisan cheeses and 15,000 portions of petit four desserts and canapes will be enjoyed over the five days. Throughout the pavilions, bars and enclosures the atmosphere builds with live music, street theatre and DJ sets running alongside shopping village and full entertainment programme.

The Bollinger Best Dressed competition is one of the most prestigious style challenges on the racing calendar with finalists chosen across the first four days progressing to the final on Ladies day, Friday 3rd May. Open to all, the fresh take on race day style encourages entrants of all ages to be creative, sustainable and brave in a bid to win the ‘money can’t buy’ prize to Paris and The Bollinger Chateuax in Champagne region. Following feedback a separate gents prize will be presented this year.

As one of Ireland’s largest events the Punchestown Festival is big business bringing a massive boost to the local economy with over €60 million generated through tourism, leisure and associated spends. However, the event also plays a significant community roll working alongside local GAA clubs and charities to generate funds through volunteer schemes and fundraising initiatives. The Punchestown Kidney Research Charity race, now in its 33 year, has raised close to €2 million and is joined this year by charities Cara Rescue, Samaritans, and three local national school funds.

Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill looked ahead to the event: “This years festival has a great buzz about it with an extra celebratory feel as the champions return to the home of Irish jump racing. We have rolled out some major changes in response to customer feedback with the event layout and entertainment programme better than ever. We even have good news on the weather front! All that remains is for friends old and new to join us across five brilliant days at the iconic Punchestown Festival”.

The Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May at Punchestown Racecoure. Full event tickets and information available at www.punchetsown.com

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No-repro Fee images – https://we.tl/t-VrGY9ehclq

 

Harry Derham: To have horses going to the Punchestown Festival this early in my career is still a bit of a pinch-yourself moment

 

For many years, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson led the British assault on the vast prize money on offer at the Punchestown Festival but while the venerable duo remain at the peak of their powers, the succession race is on and there is a new gang in ‘Town.

Anthony Honeyball has an amazing strike rate at Ireland’s traditional end-of-season jamboree and will be bidding extend his winning sequence to a fourth consecutive festival next week.

The Full Circle Series, designed to provide more opportunities for horses rated 130 or less, has attracted the attention of a number of Honeyball’s compatriots as a result of half of the ten qualifiers being held on the other side of the Irish Sea.

The €80,000 final takes place on Tuesday’s opening leg of the five-day carnival of jumps racing, and among the British conditioners represented are Honeyball, Ben Pauling, Tom Lacey, Venetia Williams and Charlie Longsdon.

Harry Derham does not have a horse among the 34 still standing in the final, but he plans to mark the end of his first full season as a trainer by bringing former Derby fancy, Brentford Hope and three other horses to Kildare to bag a slice of the riches on offer.

The last time Derham was in Punchestown, he was in select company, with the world ground to a halt by Covid.

As assistant trainer to his uncle, the aforementioned Nicholls, he was oversaw the preparations of two-time King George VI Chase victor, Clan Des Obeaux for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup in 2021. Given a peach of a ride by Sam Twiston-Davies, Clan held off the valiant challenge of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo.

They proved it could be done then, as Honeyball has more recently and Sophie Leech also did 23 months ago.

Derham may be just 29 and in the nascent stages of his new career, having saddled his first runner as a trainer at the end of 2022 after 11 years in Ditcheat, but he doesn’t like to place limits on himself.

A Cheltenham Festival winner as a jockey, who gave up riding young, the neophyte is clearly ambitious and talented but also pragmatic. He knows he is entering the lion’s den but given what Mullins, in particular, has managed everywhere from Nakayama to Auteuil, from Nashville to Melbourne and from Royal Ascot to Riyadh and that he will be crowned British champion jumps’ trainer tomorrow at Sandown, there doesn’t seem any point in running and hiding.

Go out and grab a slice of the pie for yourself is the Derham approach as he embarks on the succession trail, doing what his erstwhile boss did before him. With a strike rate of 25% since saddling his first runner towards the end of 2022, the neophyte is making his presence felt and it would be the cherry on top to come away from Punchestown with a winner.

“The first time I was in Punchestown (in 2014), I rode in the boys’ race (the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final) for John Kiely,” Derham remembers. “Gave the horse (On The Way Out) a terrible ride. Then I rode for Paul and Graham Wylie, a horse called Grandioso in a handicap chase and he ran well.

“Then I came back and represented Paul when Clan Des Obeaux won the Punchestown Gold Cup behind closed doors. It was a very odd experience because obviously you win an enormous race like that in front of about seven people!

“The two occasions I’ve been there, I’ve been blown away by the track. It’s an absolutely amazing racecourse. To have runners there next week is really cool.”

Recalling that surreal experience of three years ago, the Boxford-based handler continues: “That was a day I genuinely will never forget… You never take being part of a prestigious race like the Punchestown Gold Cup for granted.

“To me that was my favourite performance of Clan’s that day, He was really brave. It was a great performance. It was just a shame that nobody was there! I remember giving Sam a hug after and then realising, ‘Oh, you can’t do that!’

“I was struck by how well we were looked after and there was no expectation for that given Covid, so I’m looking forward to heading over there in normal times.”

Derham has nothing but respect for the record-breaking feats of Mullins and hails the Closutton supremo as a hugely positive influence on horse racing. But he will not run away if he spots an opportunity, regardless of venue or jurisdiction.

“Anthony Honeyball is a great example. He’s done fantastically well at Punchestown. It shows it can be done. Paul always said to me, ‘Wherever you’re going, whether it be Wincanton, Punchestown or Newbury, you have to have the right horses.’ If you get to the right races with the right horses then you have a chance.

“I have nothing but admiration for Willie and what he’s built. I’ve heard myself correcting a lot of people recently saying, ‘Oh it’s all right for him, he gets the best horses.’ He didn’t always get the best horses. He didn’t start with 250 horses. He’s got them because he’s the best. He’s the bar that everybody else has to get to and I don’t begrudge him anything. I think it’s phenomenal what he’s doing.

“I think he’s good for the sport and it’s something to be celebrated. I’m not going to say I’d love to get to his level as it would be a mad thing to say, but he is, without question, the person all of us jump people have to beat if we want to get to the top.”

He is fully aware how difficult it will be to saddle a winner next week but is hopeful of four good runs that will yield some nice prize money.

Brentford Hope has won five times over hurdles for The Optimists Syndicate since being bought from stout Punchestown supporters and sponsors, Seán and Bernardine Mulryan out of the Richard Hughes yard. The seven-year-old son of Camelot’s rating has increased from 114, when he won his maiden at Wincanton 13 months ago, to its current mark of 145.

Tuesday’s Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle is the target now.

“He has been a real flagbearer for the yard. We didn’t feel Cheltenham was his track. We’ve tried to keep him to slightly more level tracks. I know Punchestown is a little bit undulating but it’s a lot more gradual than it would be at Cheltenham. A horse like him deserves to go to a festival now.

“Sir Psycho, who’s running in the Listed EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase on the Friday has done well for me all season. He’s run good races and it’s his last chance to run in a novice chase. It’s worth €100,000 as well. What a fantastic chance for him to run in a race like that.

“On Thursday, Molly’s Mango will run in the Listed Close Brothers Mares’ Novice Hurdle which is a nice race for mares that haven’t won graded races, which takes out a couple of the top ones like Jade De Grugy and (her former Gordon Elliott stablemate) Brighterdaysahead. Molly ran well at Cheltenham. She’s a lovely mare who’s going to go novice chasing in the autumn and there’s a lovely programme for mares’ novice chases in England but I think she will run a nice race.

“Queensbury Boy is a winner of a bumper over here. We were going to go for a valuable bumper just after Cheltenham but he wasn’t just quite right. He’s a really, really nice horse and will be a smart novice hurdler next season but he is going to take his chance in the JP & M Doyle Bumper on Thursday.”

All his owners apart from one are making the trip and the excitement is growing.

“For me, Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown are the three monster meetings of the jumps racing calendar.

“I want to win and I’m bloody competitive but to have horses going to the Punchestown Festival this early in my career is still a bit of a pinch-yourself moment. I’m certainly not taking for granted how cool it is after 18 months as a trainer to be taking four to a meeting of that magnitude.”

 

“Have the conversation – say YES to Organ Donation”
Punchestown Charity Race – Saturday 4th May 2024

Kidney Transplant recipient Sara Jane Tracy to ride at the Punchestown Festival to highlight the success of Organ Donation and Transplantation
The 33rd running of the annual Punchestown Charity Race will take place on Saturday 4th May at the Punchestown Festival. To date this race has raised over €1.8 million for various kidney related projects for the Kildare based, registered Irish Charity, The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund.

This year will be a very special year as amongst the 25 jockeys taking part will be Sara Jane Tracy who is a kidney transplant recipient from Kill, Co. Kildare.
Sara Jane explains “In a life-altering moment in November 2021, my godfather Alex Tracy gifted me a second chance at life by donating his kidney. This selfless act, supported by his family and the exceptional medical teams at Beaumont and St. Vincent’s hospitals, marked the end of a challenging five-year wait on the transplant list and catapulted me from severe illness to robust health. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I am now committed to giving back to those who face similar challenges.”

Along with Sara Jane all the riders will have lots of local support as the race is the curtain closer to the week’s racing and is always a highlight for the 30,000 people in attendance on the big day.

In 2024 there were 74 applicants for the 25 places and all the 25 amateur jockeys have completed a fitness assessment at the jockey’s apprentice school R.A.C.E. in Co. Kildare. Also, they have all had to pass a medical in order to participate. On top of that before taking part all 25 jockeys have to raise a minimum of €1,500 for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, which is a Kildare based, registered Irish Charity.

For more information please contact James Nolan at 086/2349919.

PUNCHESTOWN CROSS COUNTRY ADDED TO 2023-24 CRYSTAL CUP SCHEDULE

Following the cancellation of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival due to a waterlogged track, the Crystal Cup committee has taken steps to ensure the unique pan-European competition maintains its 11 legs.

Punchestown’s Mongey Communications La Touche Cross Country Steeplechase, with a prize fund of €30,000, will be added to the series, with points afforded just as in the other legs. The 5yo+ Weight for Age Conditions chase is run over 4m 2f (6,800m), a distance only capped by the final race at Lion d’Angers on May 9th. Entries close on April 25th at noon (11am for foreign entries).
Conor O’Neill, CEO of Punchestown, commented, “We’re delighted to have been offered the chance to join this prestigious and unique series in the exceptional circumstances of this wet winter. A cordial Irish welcome awaits British and Continental runners over the unique banks course at Punchestown.”

Ian Renton, Managing Director of Cheltenham, added, ““We were naturally very disappointed not to be able to stage our leg of the Crystal Cup Series during the Festival due to the loss of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. However, we are truly delighted that this has provided an opportunity for Punchestown to participate in the Series. Cheltenham is very proud of its cross-country course, the only one of its kind in England and we are wholly committed to the promotion of cross country racing and the Crystal Cup. We know that our racing fans very much enjoy the unique spectacle cross country brings, with many people travelling across Europe to witness other legs of this popular Series. The inclusion of an Irish leg in the Crystal Cup Series will be welcomed by many.”

Alain Peltier, Chairman of the Crystal Cup committee, concluded, “This season’s series has seen a flurry of Irish runners, not just at Cheltenham, where they are expected, but in other races of the series, notably when Roi Mage won at Compiegne in November. The Series has evolved to become a valid route to the Grand National, as well as producing some fabulous races in its own right. Punchestown is a natural addition and we’re thrilled to be there again after a long absence.”
Despite Irish enthusiasm for the Series’ races, this season has been dominated by the Czechs for the first time. In pursuit of the €20,000 bonus prize and the Crystal Cup, Scuderia Aichner SRL and trainer Josef Vana Jnr are in a commanding position requiring any other contender to win both remaining legs to deny them a first success in the challenge.

 

The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend. For full event and ticket details please visit www.punchestown.com

Please click on the link below for day by day entries:

Tuesday 30 April Grade 1 Entries

Wednesday 1 May Grade 1 Entries

Thursday 2 May Grade 1 Entries

Friday 3rd May Grade 1 Entries

Saturday 4 May Grade 1 Entries

Channor Real Estate Group Announced as Major New Sponsor Ahead of 2024 Punchestown Festival

 

Media Release 16th April 2024: As the countdown to the 2024 Punchestown Festival gets underway the home of Irish jump racing today welcomed Channor Real Estate Group as the latest high-profile grade one sponsor in a major three-year deal.

The €125,000 Channor Real Estate Group Grade 1 Novice Hurdle takes place on day two of the prestigious Punchestown Festival, Wednesday.  Formerly run as the Irish Mirror Hurdle, the role of honour for this contest could not be more prolific with dual Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs and stand out Cheltenham performer Gaelic Warrior featuring as victors in the last three years.

The Punchestown sponsorship will be the Channor Real Estate Group’s debut commercial partnership on the Irish racing scene. The second-generation family-owned property investment and development company was established in 1990 and prides itself on ‘creating great places to live and work’. Having been involved in property development in the UK and New Zealand, Channor Real Estate Group would be best known as the developers of Blanchardstown Corporate Park where they have built over 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial property.

Darren Harrison, Channor Real Estate Group CEO, gave an insight on their decision to sponsor at the Punchestown Festival: “The synergy between horse racing and our business community is unmistakable. Having attended last year’s festival, I witnessed first-hand the strong presence of our clientele, and it became clear Punchestown is something we’d like to get involved with. It makes sense to be where they are and Punchestown is the industry leader when it comes to Irish racing events”.

Punchestown Racecourse CEO Conor O’Neill welcomed the Harrison family and Channor team by saying: “The Channor Real Estate Group is exactly the kind of company we enjoy working alongside – family owned and quality focused with a keen eye on longevity.   The Channor team have identified that involvement here at Punchestown makes good commercial sense for them. On behalf of Punchestown we welcome Darren and the team and look forward to optimising this partnership for them over the next three years”

The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. The Channor Real Estate Group Grade 1 Novice Hurdle is one of twelve grade one races featured across the five-day jump racing grand finale. Full ticket, hospitality and event information available at www.punchestown.com

 

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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

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Editors Notes

Punchestown Festival 2024 Advance Ticket Prices

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

 

 

AIR extends financial support to IIJ for a further 3 years
€123,000 per annum / €369,000 over 3 years

Today, (New Year’s Eve) at Punchestown Racecourse, The Association of Irish Racecourses has announced an extension to its financial support of Irish Injured Jockeys for a further three years. The association representing all 26 Irish racecourses has pledged a combined total donation of €369,000 paid to the charity during this period. This donation will go towards IIJ running costs in an effort to ensure that public income raised through donations and fundraisers will go to Irish Injured Jockeys service users and beneficiaries.

Building on the existing positive relationship between the racecourses, jockeys and the charity, AIR members unanimously committed to this scheme at their recent AGM. Racecourse donations are set on a scaled basis depending on the racecourse grade and each track pays their pledged amount to Irish Injured Jockeys direct.

Conor O’Neill, Chairman of the AIR and CEO of Punchestown Racecourse, said: “Jockeys are the cornerstone of racing, providing racegoers with great days out and brilliant racing memories, however, we are acutely aware that it is a high-risk sport and the extraordinary physical demands our jockeys face for our sporting pleasure. Irish racecourses enjoy superb relationships with jockeys and greatly value the time they give us to promote our wonderful sport each year. In recognition of that, the Association of Irish Racecourses is delighted to formally demonstrate our commitment with €123,000 per year for the next three years to support the incredible work the Irish Injured Jockeys do.”

Ruby Walsh, Champion National Hunt Jockey and IIJ Chairman, commented: “On behalf of the Irish Injured Jockeys, I would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the 26 racecourses for their support. The extension of their financial commitment for another three years is massive for IIJ and testament to the great relationship we have with the racecourses. Their support will allow us to continue the important work we do and expand our services to riders. Their support towards IIJ running costs is a noble gesture and a remarkable contribution for which we are most grateful.”

ENDS.

For further information contact:
Carey Ann Lordan, Red PR

 

Tel: 052 6184343                                Mob: 087 927 0730

E: clordan@redpr.ie                            Web: www.redpr.ie

We are delighted to introduce a new initiative at Punchestown called The Full Circle Series. In an age of super yards and fierce competition, this series provides an great opportunity for the horses in the competitive 1 – 130 category and their respective connections to compete for a big prize at a feature festival.

Aimed at two and a half mile handicap hurdlers rated in the region of 130, the series will consist of ten qualifiers, five UK and five in Ireland.  The qualifiers will be held between December 2023 and March 2024 before coming Full Circle back to the grand final on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, Tuesday 30th April 2024.  The first six horses to finish in each leg will qualify for the grand finale with a prize pot of €60,000.

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”.

 

THE FULL CIRCLE QUALIFIERS

 

FULL CIRCLE SERIES DETAILS

The Full Circle is a 10 race series that will take place across the UK & Ireland with the final being held at the 2024 Punchestown Festival.

Each qualifier will be a hurdle race over a distance of between 2 miles 2 furlongs and 2 miles 6 furlongs for horses within the (0-130) rating band.

The first six horses home in each qualifier will be eligible to enter the grande finale.

The Full Circle series final will be run over 2 miles 4 furlongs at the 2024 Punchestown Festival.

Five Full Circle qualifiers will be hosted at specially selected tracks in the UK with the remaining five taking place at Irish courses.

The qualifier races in the series will take place from December 2023 to March 2024.

This series begins (launch) and ends (finale) in Punchestown. It travels The Full Circle.

 

For further information please contact the Richie and Sean on racing@punchestown.com or call +353 45 897704