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Click here to view 2022 Festival Enclosure Map

A Guide for Owners At Punchestown Festival 

First and foremost thank you so much for supporting Punchestown. We truly appreciate and recognise the value of the Irish Racehorse Owner. Whilst we cannot guarantee winners we do our best to ensure you and your guests have an enjoyable visit and that your horses have excellent racing surface, welfare support and stable yard facilities.

Below is a guide to your festival visit:

Parking 

There is a limited area of reserved parking available for Owners & Trainers. Please have your AIR card to assist the parking attendants. At peak times the Gardai and parking teams will have to move cars into available spaces to ease congestion. our tip – arrive early.

Access & Admission

Owners access the course using their AIR cards. The AIR turnstile is located on the right of the main entrance building. The appropriate badges and wristbands will be issued at this point.  Should you not have your AIR card, please contact AIR on +353 (0)1 6760911 as soon as possible.

 Additional Ticket Requests – Strict Deadline 12 noon the day before the race. 

Owners with runners can request limited additional complimentary tickets through www.racehorseownership.ie/tickets only.

Please note that these tickets do not allow access to the Goffs Lounge and are admission and parade ring only. The requested tickets will be available at the ticket collection point inside the main entrance building. The packs will be filed under the registered owners name with the horse name as reference.  Please note the deadline for these requests is 12 noon the day before racing and ALL REQUESTS direct to HRI Ownership.  We regret that we are unable to process after this deadline with no exceptions permitted.

Should you require further tickets above this allocation they can be purchased at 20% discount from Punchestown racecourse. Please note that these tickets must be ordered by 12 noon the day before racing. To order please contact Jean on +353 (0)45 897704 or email jcreaton@punchestown.com

 

Goffs Owners & Trainer Lounge – Access Limited To Four Per Owner

We are pleased to welcome the return of The Goffs Owners & Trainers Lounge where buffet lunch and refreshments are served. To ensure an enjoyable owner race day experience, access to this venue is strictly limited to four per owner and this includes partnerships, syndicates and clubs regardless of the numbers involved or how many horses they might have running. Only those with appropriate wristbands will gain entry. Due to the number of owners with runners, access for all is not possible and we hope you understand this is to ensure an enjoyable experience for those in attendance. This venue is located on the first floor of the Hunt Stand in the reserved enclosure. Access through the door next to the Bollinger Garden. View Festival Enclosure map HERE

 

Owners & Trainer Bar – Access Limited to those with Owner & Trainer Badges

An additional Owners & Trainers Bar will be located on the ground floor of the Panoramic Stand next to the horse walk. Owner and Trainer badges required for admission to this venue. View Festival Enclosure map HERE

 

AIRO & HRI Owners Marquee

The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and HRI Ownership will host The Owners Clubhouse at the festival. Please contact AIRO directly to enquire about member benefits.

Contact Details & Raceday Info

All of your raceday info is including in your declaration email from HRI ownership. Please keep an eye on your inbox for this correspondence.

 

Should you have any queries on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the HRI Ownership on owners@hri.ie or

 

Punchestown Pledge to Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal

Press Release Wednesday 13th April 2022 – Punchestown racecourse, in association with the Irish Red Cross,  have pledged to donate all proceeds from tickets purchased over this Easter weekend for Ballymore Family Day, Saturday 30th April, to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine crisis appeal.

Red Cross teams are on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding region as well as here in Ireland providing crucial aid for Ukrainian refugees. Your support will enable the Red Cross to continue their work to provide for basic needs such as water, food, medical aid, shelter and other essential needs.

Punchestown racecourse have pledged that all proceeds from tickets purchased for Ballymore Family day between Friday 15th and Monday 18th April will go directly to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. The Ballymore Family day is the final day of the festival and takes place on Saturday 30th April.

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown CEO said “We are all united in our horror at what is happening in Ukraine. Families and loved ones are being displaced and the consequences of this war are devastating. In addition to our Easter weekend fundraiser, we will be rolling out some additional activities to raise funds in the coming days and weeks. If everyone gives a little it will help a lot.”

Charlie Lamson, Head of Fundraising Irish Red Cross said: “The situation in Ukraine is accelerating and the need for funds to support teams on the ground has never been more crucial. Awareness and action like this Easter weekend appeal by Punchestown will all go towards supporting families that have been torn apart by this conflict. Please support by donating at www.donate.redcross.ie or by purchasing Punchestown tickets for Saturday 30th April on www.punchestown.com”

The Ballymore Family Day is the concluding day of the Punchestown Festival and takes place on Saturday 30th April. The Saturday has become the most popular day at the festival with crowds of over 35,000 expected to attend. A dedicated family activity area means that there is ample room for families and socialisers to enjoy the various aspects of the race day in comfort. By purchasing tickets for and attending Punchestown on Saturday 30th you and your family and friends can make a big difference to those not as fortunate.

The Punchestown Festival gets underway on Tuesday 26th April and runs through to Saturday 30th April. All proceeds for festival Saturday tickets purchased between Friday 15th and Monday 18th April go to the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

Visit https://punchestown.com/book-tickets/festival-tickets/  or donate directly www.donate.redcross.ie

 

There’s No Place Like Home – Ruby Walsh Joins the Punchestown Team

Champion Ruby Walsh To Champion Punchestown

As the much anticipated 2022 Punchestown Festival approaches the racecourse today announced Ruby Walsh as Punchestown Brand Champion in a move that will see the 12 time champion jockey officially champion the home of Irish jump racing.

The Ruby Walsh story is one that has roots in Punchestown racecourse itself, a place that is very special to Ireland’s winning most national hunt jockey of all time. Born and raised only a few miles as the crow flies from the famous venue, Punchestown has been the stage for many highlights of Walsh’s illustrious career. Now a new chapter begins. In addition to a history-making career between the rails the 42-year old has successfully transitioned to broadcast pundit, presenter and columnist. For Walsh Punchestown is personal. His new role at the home of Irish jump racing extends beyond that of brand ambassador, consultant, expert or advisor. Walsh will work alongside the Punchestown team as they continue to improve, enhance and safeguard the future of the iconic racecourse.

Looking forward to embracing the role Walsh said “For me Punchestown is home and there’s no where like home. It’s is such a special place for me and my family. It’s always been a massive part of my life ever since I was a kid riding ponies and now I bring my own girls there for pony camp. From the festival in spring to the launch of the national hunt proper in the autumn I always seem to be at Punchestown whatever the season. This is more than a passion project and I will focus on areas that I consider to be key to the quality and appeal of racing such as attracting more UK runners to the festival and throughout the season. It’s a fantastic track with brilliant prize money and great hospitality for connections.”

Walsh added: “In 2023 Punchestown celebrates 200 years. Obviously whilst I won’t be around to see it I’d like to make a contribution and play my part in safe guarding the home of Irish jump racing for another 200 years!”

Conor O’Neill Punchestown CEO welcomed Walsh by saying: “Ruby has proven himself to be as capable on the ground as in the saddle when it comes to strategy, policy and the general awareness of the realities of balancing the commerciality of racing as a product whilst respecting the tradition and heritage of the game and the contribution of those who invest in it. With an incredible network of contacts and a career that has spanned 24 years, 213 grade one wins, 12 jockey championships and success in Ireland, the UK, Japan, Australia, France and the United States qualifies Ruby as somewhat of an expert in our eyes!”

The Walsh family is intrinsically linked to Punchestown. The only track in Ireland to showcase the traditional cross-country style racing, the track features the synonymous ‘Ruby’s Double’ a grass double bank which was erected in 1995 by the Moran Family of Pennsylvania in memory of their friend Ruby Walsh senior, father of Ted. The Morans of course owned 2000 Grand National and Irish National hero Papillon trained by Ted and ridden by Ruby. Both Ruby’s sister, top amateur Katie, and sister-in-law Nina Carberry decided to hang up their boots with winning rides at the 2018 Punchestown Festival.

Call it destiny, luck or fate but Walsh’s first win at Punchestown came by default when as a wetbehind the ears 17-year-old amateur he was in the weighroom preparing for home. Enda Bolger had just ridden in the champion bumper but was standing down for the rest of the day. As Bolger walked through the weighroom he tossed a set of colours to Walsh and said “you ride that in the next”. The set of colours were the famous plain navy of Sue and John Magnier, the next was the champion Hunters Chase and ‘that’ was Dixon Varner. Walsh won. The die was cast.

Walsh himself would say that many of his memorable career moments came at Punchestown. He is the winning most jockey in what is now the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup and the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle with six wins in each. Walsh’s gold cup story begins at the very start. Upgraded from a handicap, 1999 was the inaugural running of the Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup that we know today. The horse was Imperial Call who in 1996 became the first Irish trained horse to win the Cheltenham Gold cup after a ten-year drought. Imperial Calls career was interrupted by injury but as a ten-year-old now trained by Ray Hurley with a 19-year-old Ruby Walsh on his back Imperial Call returned to the winners enclosure and entered the history books as the first winner of the Punchetsown Gold Cup. The following year an even better tale comes to fruition. Undoubtedly, the most remarkable season in the Walsh family’s racing history to date. Ruby and his father Ted team up to win the Aintree Grand National with Papillion. The show rolls on to the to Easter at Fairyhouse – another national in the bag this time with Commanche Court. Fast forward a couple of weeks to Punchestown and the Dermot Desmond owned ‘Commanche’ steps up to grade 1 glory in the Punchestown Gold Cup. At 20 years of age Ruby Walsh has exceeded and excelled.

Soon after Walsh was balancing a hugely successful arrangement as first rider for both Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls. The Walsh-Nicholls partnership certainly benefited Punchestown whilst reaping rewards for the duo and to this day Neptune Collonge is the only back to back winner of the Punchestown Gold Cup. Two of Walshs three Punchestown champion wins came from the Nicholls stable with the quirky Twist Magic (2008) and the brilliant Master Minded (2009).
The Punchestown champion hurdle has been the stage for some of Walsh’s most memorable Punchestown moments. The brilliant Hurricane Fly dominated the number one spot for four consecutive years and whilst Walsh missed out on the 2010 win due to injury it was a copy and paste scenario in 2011, ‘12 and ‘13. Vroum Vroum Mag and the wonderful Faugheen delivered the goods in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

And so to 2019. Rumours rumbled but there was no farewell tour or fanfare. A gold cup win and a wave as he crossed the line on Kemboy for longtime boss Willie Mullins. Walsh family members with emotion etched all over their faces started to gather in the parade ring and the reality began to sink in. Tears ran down Ted seniors face. Then, during his post-race interview over the racecourse PA system Walsh called it a day. Low key, on his own terms, at his favourite track surrounded by family and friends. Class.
Looking ahead to the future Ruby’s first assignment will be at Aintree. A word of advice to winning connections – plan ahead for a trip to Punchestown! One thing is sure, what Ruby Walsh applies himself to he succeeds at through dedication, strategic thinking and hard work and Punchestown will continue to be a beneficiary of this sporting icon.

The 2022 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th April. For full event details and bookings please visit www.punchestown.com
**ENDS**

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J.P. & M. Doyle Leading The Field After 70 Years

Thursday 31st March 2022 – Punchestown Racecourse today announced that renowned Auctioneers & Estate Agents, J.P. & M Doyle will mark 70 years in business as they join the prestigious sponsorship line up at the home of Irish jump racing at this year’s Punchestown Festival, Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th April. 

The three year deal will see festival Thursday’s racing action conclude under the  J.P. & M Doyle banner however, the 2022 running will include a special edition title ‘Celebrating 70 Years in Business’ in the bumper race name. This contest has a reputation of unearthing potential stars and none more so than last year’s winner Dysart Dynamo who since exploded onto the supreme champion novice hurdle market with an impressive win in the Grade 2  Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown in January before an unfortunate fall at Cheltenham ruled him out of contention. 

J.P. & M Doyle and Punchestown literally share trading ground with the majority demographic of both businesses clientele hailing from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and surrounding counties. Having first opened their doors in 1952 the independent property and livestock experts have witnessed first-hand the changes to the markets and how people do business over the past 70 years. In that time there has been three generations of Doyles and whilst the times have changed the business core values have remained the same.

The family run J.P. & M Doyle, like all successful businesses, have diversified over the 70 years and now deliver a wide range of residential and commercial property services along with one of Ireland’s largest livestock marts in Blesssington. Over the past two years they have embraced change and implemented virtual viewings and online auctions however the basis of the business remains meeting clients face to face. Many of the horses running at the Punchestown Festival have been born, bred, bought or sold on farms offered by JP & M Doyle or by longstanding clients and friends of the firm.

A keen racegoer and Punchestown regular J.P & M Doyle’s David Doyle expanded on the family firms involvement in sponsorship at Punchestown: “We are delighted to be in a position to mark 70 years in business with this three year agreement at Punchestown. The racecourse is somewhere we as a family enjoy many great days out but also with my business hat on it is a fantastic amenity right in the heart of our patch. We have missed meeting people at the festival for two years and really look forward to celebrating its return and our business milestone by entertaining clients and friends at this iconic sporting event”.

 

Leona Hughes, Punchestown Sponsorship Coordinator said: “It is a pleasure to welcome the J.P. & M Doyle team to Punchestown for what will be a gathering of celebration for both the return of the festival and their 70th year in business. We understand that sponsorship has to make commercial sense for a business. That is why we consider our sponsors to be event partners who are an intrinsic part of the occasion.  J.P. & M Doyle and Punchestown are similar in many ways but especially that we are independent, focus on quality and have been around for a long time so we have plenty in common and must be doing something right!”

The J.P. & M Doyle Flat Race takes place on day three, Thursday 28th April, of the Punchestown Festival. For full event details, ticket and hospitality information please visit www.punchestown.com

 

**ENDS**

 

No repro fee images available from sdreaper@punchestown.com

Caption: Punchestown Sponsorship Coordinator Leona Hughes and David Doyle of J.P. & M. Doyle Announce a three year sponsorship deal ahead of the 2022 Punchestown Festival, Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th April.

 

 

King of the Hill to get entry to tackle Queen Bee Honeysuckle at Punchestown Festival

Henderson to “keep the option open”

Master of Seven Burrows also recalls “very special day” when Irish embraced Sprinter Sacre

Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Constitution Hill is likely to feature at the Punchestown Festival and has not ruled out a heavyweight clash with established hurdling queen Honeysuckle, with the facile Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victor to be entered in both the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle and the Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle.

Epatante, who finished runner-up as Honeysuckle retained her Cheltenham Champion Hurdle crown last week, Mares’ Hurdle heroine Marie’s Rock and another exciting novice Walking On Air, who missed Cheltenham after a slight setback, are others who are set to make the cross-channel jaunt.
But all eyes will be on Constitution Hill and the possibility of a mouth-watering contest for the ages, first mooted by owner Michael Buckley after the five-year-old’s 12-length demolition job in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January.
Should the encounter take place between the mistress of all she surveys and her young pretender, it would surely prompt similar parade ring scenes to when Henderson brought Sprinter Sacre to the Kildare festival to win the William Hill Champion Chase in 2013, an occasion the legendary trainer rhapsodises about, describing it as “a very special day”.
Honeysuckle would be defending her Punchestown crown, having done the same in sensational fashion in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare is the pre-eminent National Hunt horse on the planet, unbeaten in 15 appearances under Rules, which is a record. She has a point-to-point triumph under her belt as well from her days of tutoring under Jerry Cosgrave and Mark O’Hare.
After her Dromahane romp, Honeysuckle had her first visit to Punchestown for the Goffs NH Sale during the 2018 festival.
So it was that Kenny Alexander, emboldened by his enjoyment of the hospitality on offer, acquiesced to Peter Molony’s suggestion to shell out €110,000 for the daughter of Sulamani. Now eight, Honeysuckle has brought the Scot and his family on a remarkable journey, with Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and the entire racing public latching onto her coattails.
Constitution Hill is also a product of the Irish point-to-point scene. Bought initially by the former first jockey at Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard, Barry Geraghty, he was trained by Warren Ewing to finish a head second to Anyharminasking at Tipperary, having suffered from a muscle-wasting illness as a youngster.
Geraghty insisted to Buckley and Henderson that he would develop into a real talent and his judgement has proven spot on, with Henderson’s handling of the Blue Bresil gelding playing a huge part in that process.
The novice is unbeaten under Rules, albeit from just three appearances, but has prevailed by an aggregate 48 lengths, most recently trouncing what beforehand was considered an ultra-competitive Supreme Novices’ Hurdle field by 22 lengths, smashing the course record in the process.
Having such a talent appear at the festival will be a gift to those in attendance, but even the possibility of taking on Honeysuckle is sparking unprecedented levels of excitement.
“I’m afraid Michael seems to have taken up the mantle,” says a chuckling Henderson on the topic. “I’ve just been reading the reports! I honestly don’t know what we’ll do. We haven’t discussed it. I know he’s very keen to take on Honeysuckle. I should think it’s quite likely he will get an entry in the Champion Hurdle as it keeps the options open.
“Michael is a great sportsman and nothing will scare him off, that’s for sure. So we shall see.
“He’s inexperienced but he’s very straightforward. He’s the same as Honeysuckle like that isn’t he? She’s a push-button machine.”
While Constitution Hill looked like he could go around again at Cheltenham, such performances require considerable exertion and so Henderson will make sure he is in a condition to give of his best, whatever race he targets.
“This was the case when Sprinter came to Ireland. Barry always said to me, ‘You had him at 100 per cent for Cheltenham, he was on 90 per cent at Aintree and he was on 80 per cent at Punchestown.’ You thought he was having easy races but he’s not, because he’s putting an awful lot of nervous energy, adrenaline and so on into it. He psyches himself up and they have to. That’s why they’re so good. They don’t just saunter around and think, ‘Oh that was easy, I’ll go back to bed now.’ It takes much more out of them, you’d never believe it.”
Henderson felt Sprinter Sacre was “over the top” when beating a 12-year-old Sizing Europe at Punchestown nine years ago, having made a last-minute decision he now regrets to take in Aintree after his Cheltenham success. But the cacophony of noise from the heaving mass that swelled around the parade ring will never leave him.
“It was amazing. The nicest thing was the Irish reception he got was amazing. You don’t normally see a French-bred horse trained in England get such an ovation. The crowd was absolutely incredible and it was a very special day.”
Honeysuckle’s predecessor as Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner, Epatante was right back to her best this year and could pitch up with her Prestbury Park nemesis once more in a race Henderson won with Buveur D’Air in 2019, when the trainer also saddled Fusil Raffles and O O Seven to Punchestown Festival triumphs.
“She’s had a good year. She’s won a Fighting Fifth and a Christmas Hurdle and now second in the Champion Hurdle. Only Honeysuckle could beat her. She will almost certainly come over. We have discussed Aintree but it’s two and a half and she doesn’t want two and a half. She’s all about speed.”
And speaking of further possible visitors, Henderson added: “There’s nothing obvious for Marie’s Rock in Aintree so I’d say she’ll go somewhere in Punchestown. What Jonbon does will probably depend on what Constitution Hill does. Walking On Air may go to Punchestown after missing Cheltenham. He’s pretty smart and has come back really well.”
With the English season concluded the week before at Sandown – Henderson gives himself no chance of finishing as champion trainer but is tickled that Willie Mullins has put it on his agenda – the trainer and his wife Sophie will begin the Punchestown Festival week as usual with a couple of days at Martinstown Stud to cast he eyes over the horses he trains for JP McManus and some of the older brigade enjoying their retirement in the Limerick air.
The couple will then travel to up to Punchestown on Tuesday morning and spend the rest of their stay at Commonstown Stud, hosted by Henderson’s long-time friend, Jessica Harrington.
“It’s great fun, isn’t it? We have a Cheltenham, which you could call fun, but it’s a bit taxing. Aintree is fun but then you’ve Punchestown, which is really good fun, with the added bonus of great racing and great prize money and we’ll try to get our hands on some of it.”
ENDS

Tuesday 22nd March 2022 – Barberstown Castle was today unveiled as a major player on the Irish hotel and sporting hospitality scene with the announcement of a dual racecourse sponsorship that will see the county Kildare venue feature at both Punchestown, the home of Irish jump racing and The Curragh, home of Irish Flat racing.

The newly sponsored €125,000 Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice two mile chase is one of the features on Punchestown Festival Thursday. The race is arguably one of the most prestigious of its category on the calendar with an all-star line-up of previous winners including Douvan, Moscow Flyer, Un De Sceaux, War Of Attrition, Chacun Pour Soi and Big Zeb. British trainers have fared well in this contest with Tom George’s Gods Own and the Philip Hobbs trained Captain Chris both landing the spoils. This feature sponsorship is part of a multi-year accommodation partner arrangement at the famous jump season grand finale.

Meanwhile, across the county at flat racing headquarters, Barberstown Castle will become an official hotel partner of the racecourse in an overall package that includes the sponsorship of the five race ‘Barberstown Castle Series’. The first leg of this initiative kicks off on the opening day of the flat season, this Saturday 26th March and takes in races at some of the major classic weekends before the finale on 23rd October.

Amanda Torrens, the new owner of Barberstown Castle who also has enjoyed success as a racehorse owner commented on the announcement: “Our vision is clear, we wish to establish Barberstown Castle as the first choice for the racing community, horse tourism and bloodstock industry. We embrace the wonderful opportunity to partner with both the home of Irish jump and flat racing. Barberstown Castle is open for business and we look forward to welcoming the racing family here. It is wonderful to be in a position to combine two of my passions, racing and Barberstown in this exciting venture”.

Highly regarded in the hotel industry, Barberstown Castle’s Managing Director Ted Robinson welcomed the news: “ These are exciting times at Barberstown Castle because with racing power houses like The Curragh and Punchestown preparing to launch their seasons we here at the hotel are preparing to relaunch and rebuild this wonderful historic venue. We have 60 bedrooms, are located 30 minutes from Dublin airport, 20 minutes from both racecourses. We are situated at the gateway to the thoroughbred county and Hidden Heartlands and we are excited for what this venture will bring.

Punchestown’s Conor O’Neill commented: “This partnership is the ideal collaboration in the sense that both the Barberstown Castle and Punchestown teams share the ethos that the racing experience does not begin and end at the racecourse. Indeed, it is the hospitality, value, quality of food and accommodation and the money can’t buy aspect of genuine friendliness that sets the experience apart and makes visitors return again and again. This is why the whole package needs to work. There is no more powerful marketing tool than the word of mouth and we look forward to working with Amanda, Ted and the Barberstown team to achieve this joint ambition. O’Neill added “We’d like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing sponsor Ryanair who have transported so many of our overseas clients to the festival and will continue to do so before their onward journey to our hotel partners like Barberstown Castle!”

Evan Arkwright, Curragh Racing and Sponsorship Manager said,“We are delighted that Amanda Torrens and her team at Barberstown Castle have joined our portfolio of sponsors and look forward to developing a long and successful partnership with particular emphasis to work with them on a variety of initiatives to raise the profile of the hotel and to ensure the Castle is one of the premier destinations for our many overseas visitors. The race series will be an exciting addition to our season and it is very positive that stable staff will be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication

The Barberstown Castle Series will kick off this Saturday, 26th March, followed by races taking place during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend and Goffs Million Race Day, while the finale of the series will feature on Sunday 23rd October.

The winning owner, trainer and jockey of all five races will win a voucher to include an overnight stay in the hotel, while the trainers of the first four horses in each race will accumulate points with the highest point scorer winning a cash prize to be donated to the charity of their choice.

The Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Champion Chase will take place on Thursday 28th April on day three of the 2022 Punchestown Festival.

For further information please visit www.punchestown.com and www.curragh.ie

Plan to Race and Stay as Punchestown announce major new sponsor deal

Punchestown racecourse today announced a major new sponsorship agreement that will see the Ireland’s premier National Hunt Flat race run under the new title, The Race and Stay at Punchestown Champion Bumper.

This new multi-year sponsorship deal will kick off on day two of the 2022 Punchestown Festival, Wednesday 27th April. It is a fitting partnership as the home of Irish jump racing prepares to welcome festival crowds for the first time since 2019. Teaming up with Race and Stay, Ireland’s premier horse racing tour company, provides Punchestown guests with an all-inclusive hotel, ticket and transport package solution arranged by experts.

The €100,000 Grade 1 Race and Stay at Punchestown Champion Bumper is Ireland’s most prestigious INH Flat Race. History making champion trainer Willie Mullins has a stranglehold on this contest winning eight of the last 10 running’s bringing his tally to a total of ten wins.

The 2021 Race and Stay at Punchestown Champion bumper winner Kilcruit provided legendary qualified rider Derek O’Connor with his first ever victory in the race. Following this memorable win O’Connor emphasised the prestige of the coveted contest: “That’s the most prestigious race. The Punchestown Champion Bumper is the race that every amateur wants to win. It has taken me a long time but was great to finally do it,”

Race and Stay, CEO Martyn Pipe welcomed the announcement: “We are delighted to be sponsoring The Champion Bumper, one of the seasons most prestigious races. The Punchestown Festival is a truly unique and exciting event and one that our guests love going to, making this partnership the perfect fit for us.

“We have brought many guests to Punchestown in the past and with demand for memorable horse racing experiences at an all-time high we are looking forward to bringing many more to the festival and other Punchestown meetings this year and hopefully long into the future.
“Our unique service offers racing fans bespoke and exclusive Irish Racing experiences that can be tailored to perfectly suit a group size or budget, and, like Punchestown, we look forward to welcoming guests back for a great racing break to what promises to be a fabulous and memorable festival this year.”

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown CEO highlighted the benefits of the partnership as preparations for what is dubbed as The Great Comeback Festival added: “People make Punchestown. We say it time and time again. Our main aim is to make the Punchestown visitor experience as enjoyable and hassle free as possible. We welcome a huge number of guests from throughout Ireland, the UK and beyond. To team up with Race and Stay means we can now provide an all-inclusive package solution for our customers so they can book, race, stay and return year after year”.

The 2022 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th April 2022. As preparations continue ahead of the return of racegoers to one of Ireland’s favourite social and sporting events the early bird festival ticket promotion continues and having commenced at 50% is now at 10% discount. Hospitality sales continue to exceed expectations with festival Friday almost completely sold out and various venues throughout the week approaching full capacity.

To view the Race and Stay Punchestown package availability click here

Trainer Peter Fahey has big plans for The Big Dog as the nine-year-old returns to Punchestown on Sunday looking for back-to-back successes in the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial. A field of 13 runners go to post for Sunday’s €90,000 feature on what is a fascinating day of racing at the Kildare venue.

The Big Dog had a luckless trip to the Welsh National at Chepstow when he had to be pulled up after a blunder at the ninth fence saw Johnny Burke lose his irons and forced him to pull up but Fahey believes that The Big Dog has improved since his Punchestown success 12-months ago and is still eyeing a potential tilt at the most famous race of all, the English Grand National at Aintree.

“That was his first run in a handicap when he won this race last year and he’s come on since then,” Fahey said on Friday morning. “We haven’t had the rub of the green with him since; we were sitting for Chepstow but everything seems to be going right with him and he seems in good form. “I suppose the biggest plus from Chepstow was that it happened so early in the race and he came home a very fresh horse. He didn’t have a hard race.”

Elite amateur rider Jamie Codd renews his association with The Big Dog this weekend and gave Fahey the right vibes in midweek. “It was unfortunate what happened over in Chepstow but he’s come out of the race fine and he’s working away well. Jamie Codd sat up on him on Tuesday morning and was delighted with him. We’re looking forward to running him,” Fahey continued. “We always knew when we stepped him up into handicap company, where he’s better in a bigger field, it would be better for him. He was running around in beginner’s chases with small fields and running big races in them (including finishing a close third to subsequent Thyestes Chase and Troytown Chase winners Longhouse Poet and Run Wild Fred also at Punchestown) but we always knew he’s a better horse in a big field. “If he runs a big race, we’d be definitely considering going to Aintree. Hopefully we’ll get the rub of the green this time and put in the type of performance we think he’s capable of.”

The Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial is headed on ratings by the Gordon Elliott-trained Coko Beach who is one of four runners for the trainer. Floueur, Death Duty and Torygraph complete his team for the race, while Gavin Cromwell has two interesting contenders in Alfa Mix and Jimmil. Stones And Roses represents champion trainer Willie Mullins and Charles Byrnes has booked Liam Quinlan to take a 5lbs allowance off Doctor Duffy.
Elsewhere on Sunday’s card, Cheltenham Festival clues could be on offer in the Hollywoodbets Rated Novice Chase as the Willie Mullins-trained Ciel De Neige chases a hat-trick against the likes of Dancing On My Own, You Raised Me Up and Poseidon.

The INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle looks an intriguing contest with the highly touted Largy Debut bidding to bounce back from a disappointing outing at Leopardstown over Christmas. He’ll meet the Willie Mullins-trained Deploy The Getaway and the highly impressive course and distance winner Supreme Jet.
Racing on Sunday begins with the Hollywoodbets PP Hogan Cross Country Chase over Punchestown’s famous banks course and some old favourites like Call It Magic, Alpha Des Obeaux and Ballyboker Bridge will line up here.

Hollywoodbets is thrilled to enjoy the golden opportunity of reinvesting in the Irish racing community on the occasion of the purple brand’s 2nd birthday.
We are celebrating the milestone by promoting the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial at Punchestown on Sunday 13 February. Hollywoodbets is offering a promotion aligned to the Hollywoodbets Grand National trial. Place a win bet with a minimum stake of £/€10 on the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial at Punchestown and stand a chance to win a share of £/€10,000 if your selection wins and then goes on to win either the English or Irish Grand National.

Hollywoodbets’ Andrew Halligan said that this incentive is a massive boost for Irish Racing punters and creates a great hype over the period from 13th February to 18thApril.
“We are excited to get behind the Irish racing punters! Please look out for the Hollywoodbets activation team, who will be on course at Punchestown on Sunday” Halligan said.
Log onto www.hollywoodbets.ie for all your betting opportunities.

First Race: 1.40pm & seven races on the card.

Gates: 12pm

Admission: €15 & €10 OAP’s/Student’s

Don’t Forget: Last Chance to SAVE 15% on Festival 2022 tickets, offer ends midnight Sunday 13 Feb. Book Here