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IRISH DOMINATE FESTIVAL CROSS COUNTRY ENTRY

Entries for the ninth leg of the Crystal Cup at Cheltenham next month, and likely its most competitive to date, closed Tuesday 18th February, with 31 throwing their hat in the ring for Festival glory. Despite the race’s reversion to handicap status, there is a familiar look to the headline acts for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase (A Handicap) over 3m 5f, many of whom are headed for Aintree’s Grand National showpiece in April.

Stumptown, winner here in December, heads the market at a miserly 5/2, with weights due to be published on February 26th. He is one of two entries from Gavin Cromwell, one of 7 Irish trainers showing interest in the £75,000 contest, the other,Vanillier, fresh from overturning Coko Beach over the Punchestown banks in early February. They are 2 among 16 Irish entries, half the field. It’s a rare Festival contest without a Willie Mullins entry.

Gigginstown is well represented with a triumvirate of stars, although perhaps it must be said they are all past their peak. Led by Delta Work, who carried 11st 4lb to a 7 1/2l second place in last year’s Grand National, the 12 year old was last seen a distant fourth to L’Homme Pressé in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January.

He may well be joined by Coko Beach, outpointed by Vanillier at Punchestown but a leading candidate in the Velka Pardubicka back in October before unseating, and Conflated, who has been running in exalted company all season. This drop in class may be sufficient to see him finish in the frame for the first time this season over obstacles he prefers to orthodox fences. Gigginstown have been a vociferous opponent of the change in the race conditions; perhaps not so surprising after their considerable success with Tiger Roll, but they’ve never been afraid to pitch their horses into a fight.

Notable among the entries too is the Patrick Griffin-trained Roi Mage, who has followed an orthodox cross country route to this race through Corlay, Craon, and Compiegne. At 25/1, he may well represent excellent value subject to his weight, and is deemed worthwhile enough for champion French rider James Reveley to travel over. Putting in a good showing here would cement his credentials for the Leading Horse Award in the Crystal Cup.

Gordon Elliott’s six-strong team includes Galvin, another whose preparation for this race might seem unorthodox, his only run this season over hurdles 4,000miles away in Far Hills, New Jersey, last October, when he went down by a neck to star US jumper Snap Decision. Galvin’s no stranger to these obstacles however. Two honourable runs over the cross country obstacles in the autumn of ’23 preceded fourth behind I Am Maximus in the ’24 Randox Grand National.

Latenightpass excelled in cross country races last season, but has found a winning thread rather more elusive this time around. He should be well weighted however on the basis of his recent form, whilst Mister Coffey has excellent form over these fences, despite still being a maiden in steeplechases after 15 runs.

David Cottin has entered three, providing a continental flavour to the race. Placenet won the opening Grand Steeplechase de Flandres back in August but was cruelly exposed when stepping up to Grade I company by Gran Diose in the Prix de la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil in November. Motu Fareone has never run over this extended distance, whilst Iceo Madrik came to Cheltenham in December well fancied after a brace of wins at Compiegne, one the listed Crystal Cup leg, only to unseat early in the contest – an inconclusive visit. He has scope to deliver off a low weight.

It’s difficult to make a case for any of the remainder, who look well exposed in this company, even though they include hoary old favourites like Back On The Lash, French Dynamite and Fakir d’Oudairies. Their chances would be enhanced by the top weights dropping out after the weights are published at the end of the month.

 

Horse Racing Ireland announce further fixture alterations after sad passing of Jockey Michael O’Sullivan

Punchestown Wednesday February 19 cancelled – transferred to Punchestown Friday February 21

Punchestown Sunday February 16 – transferred to Punchestown Thursday February 20 to form a 2-Day Punchestown meeting

Thurles Thursday February 20 cancelled

Due to the sad passing of Jockey Michael O’Sullivan yesterday morning, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has announced the following race fixture alterations:

• The Punchestown meeting, which was due to be held this Wednesday February 19 is cancelled and will now take place at Punchestown this Friday February 21. Original entries stand and declarations to run for this meeting must be made by 10am on Wednesday February 19
• The Punchestown meeting, which was due to be held on Sunday February 16 but was cancelled will now take place at Punchestown this Thursday February 20 to form a 2-day Punchestown meeting. This meeting, which features The QuinnBet National Trial Handicap Steeplechase, reverts to entries at weights stage with fresh declarations to run for all races to be made by 10am on Tuesday February 18. In addition, The BetVictor Quevega Mares Hurdle (Grade 3), originally scheduled for Punchestown on Wednesday February 19, will be run at this meeting to form an 8-race card.
• The Thurles meeting, which was due to be held on Thursday February 20 is cancelled.
Full det ails of the alterations listed above will be published on the RAS website in due course.

Saturday 8th February 2025: As we prepare for the 2025 QuinnBet Grand National Trial, Punchestown Racecourse and QuinnBet are excited to reflect on the significant advancements made in the previous year. In 2024, the race underwent a major transformation, with a substantial increase in its prize fund to €100,000 and the coveted promotion to Listed status—a move that has solidified the race’s position as a premier event in the Irish Jumps Racing calendar.

The 2025 edition of the QuinnBet Grand National Trial, set to take place at Punchestown on Sunday 16th February, will continue to benefit from these enhancements. The race remains the marquee event of a high-caliber seven-race card, and the increased prize money and upgraded status have only added to its importance as a key preparation race for both the Irish and UK Grand Nationals.

In 2024, under the third year of its sponsorship agreement, the QuinnBet Grand National Trial has drawn a competitive field, highlighting the significance of the event. Two former winners are among this year’s exciting entries, with the 2024 victor Where It All Began and 2023 winner Coko Beach leading the charge in a competitive field of 32. Their inclusion adds a thrilling element of familiarity and anticipation to this year’s contest, reminding us of the race’s history and its ability to attract top-class talent.

For those seeking an exciting each-way opportunity on Easter Monday, look no further than this time-honoured trial. Known for its ability to unearth future stars, the QuinnBet-sponsored Trial has long been regarded as the perfect starting point for those eyeing bigger targets down the line. In 2024, it proved to be a crucial piece of the puzzle, with three of the top six finishers emerging from this prestigious event, reinforcing its status as an invaluable indicator of form and potential.

Reflecting on last year’s success, Niall McPartland, QuinnBet’s Head of Sponsorship & Commercial, commented, “We were delighted to see the QuinnBet Grand National Trial elevated to Listed status and the increased prize fund bringing in such a strong field in 2024. As we enter the third year of our partnership, we are proud to continue supporting Punchestown, the heart of Irish jumps racing. We look forward to another thrilling renewal and extend our thanks to Horse Racing Ireland and Leona Hughes for their invaluable support.”

Leona Hughes, Sponsorship at Punchestown, also shared her excitement: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside QuinnBet as we’ve watched this race flourish. The €100,000 prize fund and Listed status have truly elevated the event, and we are eager to build on last year’s success. We look forward to welcoming a lovely crowd for what promises to be an unforgettable day of racing.”

Tickets for the 2025 event are now available, starting at just €15. The first race is set to begin at 2.10pm (subject to minor changes). For more information on tickets, hospitality, and event details, visit www.punchestown.com.

ENDS

About QuinnBet

Founded in 2017, QuinnBet has swiftly established itself as a major player in the iGaming sector, providing a licensed online sports betting and casino platform for customers across the UK and Ireland. For more information, visit www.quinnbet.com.

For further details, please contact:
Manuela Bologheanu
Head of Brand and PR, QuinnBet
Email: Manuela.bologheanu@quinnbet.com

David Cottin is well placed to wrest the lead in the Crystal Cup from Josef Vana, as the 12 leg pan-European cross country steeplechase challenge meets its 7th leg at Cheltenham this Friday.

Iceo Madrik has been given an attractive low weight to add to his victory in the sixth leg at Compiegne in early November, but a win outside France would earn the likeable Cottin double points in pursuit of the challenge, which offers €50,000 in bonuses to owners and trainers of the leading two horses.
Cottin announced his intent to pursue the challenge in the opening leg at Waregem in late August, when Placenet won handsomely. A win from the progressive Iceo Madrik on Friday would catapult Cottin to within 6 points of long time leaderboard favourite Vana, with the Czech trainer not running in England. The remaining 5 races take place either in France, at Cheltenham, or in Ireland, lending themselves to a strong French finish.

Cottin should be encouraged by the exploits of Sweet David in the corresponding Glenfarclas – sponsored chase at the November fixture, as Sweet David’s trainer had swerved running against Iceo Madrik at Compiegne on November 11th for the easier race at Cheltenham.

Current Trainer Leaderboard standings
Josef Vana (CZ) 39
Patrice Quinton (FR) 28
David Cottin (FR) 21
P Griffin (IRE) 16

Mystery surrounds the absence of any British-trained runner in the challenge. Despite favourable conditions applying to British-trained entries abroad, the Crystal Cup’s lucrative races have been largely ignored by the owner-trainer fraternity.

The Challenge moves to Pau on February 9th after Friday.

ENDS

Contact:
Peter McNeile, Crystal Cup – +44 7850 091523 or info@crystalcup.org

 

It’s the people who make Punchestown and this weekend Punchestown is delivering for the people.

Punchestown is set to shine this weekend as the prestigious Punchestown Premiere Weekend features two thrilling days of Grade 1 action on Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th. The weekend’s marquee events include the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle on Saturday and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday, both of which will showcase some of the sport’s most exciting horses, including the top-rated horses in Ireland State Man and Galopin Des Champs.

Between the 17 horses declared across both feature races at Punchestown this weekend they have won a combined total of 40 Grade 1 races and it is set to be a sporting weekend to remember with history in the making on Saturday and a potential race for the ages on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday’s Unibet Morgiana Hurdle: A Showdown of Champions
The €150,000 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle stands alone as a highlight of the jump season, and this year’s renewal promises to be a thrilling contest with State Man, trained by Willie Mullins, seeking to make history by winning his third consecutive Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, a feat last achieved by the legendary Hurricane Fly.

In the biggest Unibet Morgiana Hurdle field since the turn of the century, the Grade 1 star will face a formidable field, including talented stablemate Lossiemouth and Gordon Elliott’s highly-regarded Brighterdaysahead, who comes into the race with the benefit of match practice following her win at Down Royal.

State Man, whose only defeat in Grade 1 company was to Constitution Hill, is seeking an eleventh Grade 1 success over hurdles, two of which came in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and last March he famously captured the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Lossiemouth, who is the mount of Patrick Mullins, is herself a four time Grade 1 winner, while Brighterdaysahead won at the highest level at Aintree last season.
Gordon Elliott, speaking ahead of the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, said: “We had a few options for her after Down Royal but we thought the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown was the best next step for her.

“She’s come out of Down Royal in good form and couldn’t have done much more there so we’ll go to Punchestown now at the weekend and find out a lot more about her. It’s a very prestigious race and we look forward to running her and her performance on Saturday will tell us a lot more about what direction to point her in next.”

The race will also feature the Mullins-trained Daddy Long Legs, the classy Sir Gerhard, and Winter Fog, as well as Smooth Tom (Andy Slattery) and No Looking Back (Oliver McKiernan). With a €150,000 prize fund on offer, Saturday’s showpiece promises to be a memorable renewal of race which has a notable roll of honour including the aforementioned Hurricane Fly, Faugheen, Nichols Canyon, Solwhit and Hardy Eustace.
Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase: A Clash of Gold Cup Heroes
Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase is set to be the weekend’s most eagerly anticipated race and could well be in line for race of the season even at this early stage.

Another mouth-watering clash between Galopin Des Champs, the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and Fastorslow, the Punchestown Gold Cup victor is in store. This is the latest chapter in an exciting rivalry between the two eight-year-olds and will be the best jump race we have seen since their Punchestown Gold Cup clash last April.
Both Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs are arguably coming into their prime season now but will start the campaign by taking on some of last season’s leading novice chasers in Fact To File, Grangeclare West, Inothewayurthinkin and Spillane’s Tower. Blue Lord and Journey With Me are both highly rated chasers in their own right and Minella Cocooner makes up a very strong field for the €150,000 feature.
Martin Brassil, trainer of Fastorslow, expressed his excitement ahead of the race: “Everything has gone to plan with him, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge. It’s fantastic to see so many top-class horses taking each other on in their first race of the season.”

The JP McManus-owned trio of Fact To File, Inothewayurthinkin and Spillane’s Tower all polished off fine seasons with Grade 1 successes last spring. Fact To File, the mount of Mark Walsh, won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, Inothewayurthinkin scored at Aintree while Spillane’s Tower is a course and distance winner having landed the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

Blue Lord, a Grade 1 winner over two miles returns to action for the first time since last year’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, while the extremely talented Grangeclare West, a Grade 1 winning novice last season, also makes a long awaited return to action for the champion trainer.
Quality action across the weekend
Saturday’s card will also feature the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase, where Gordon Elliott will saddle all three runners, including Stellar Story, Search For Glory, and Rainbow Trail. Elliott’s stable jockey Jack Kennedy rides Stellar Story with Sam Ewing onboard Search For Glory and Jody McGarvey booked for Rainbow Trail.
On the same day, Ballyburn, who triumphed in the Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, will make his highly-anticipated chasing debut in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase. Fellow Punchestown Festival winner Sermandzarak, who claimed the Goffs Defender Bumper, will embark on his hurdling career in the Sebden Steel Maiden Hurdle.
Sunday will see exciting action in the BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase, with Farren Glory and Touch Me Not from Gordon Elliott’s yard headlining the Grade 2 contest. Nurburgring, the Galway Hurdle winner, is another standout entry for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Racing on Sunday will begin with the Colm Quinn BMW Risk Of Thunder Chase, with Stumptown, a Punchestown Festival winner, among the declared runners in the cross-country race.

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown Racecourse CEO added: “I think that this is probably one of the best weekends racing we have had here in many years. The increase in prize money, bringing the Durkan back into the Premiere Weekend is reflected in the sheer calibre of horses declared to run. We are all systems go and the reaction to the good value tickets has been really positive.”
Live Coverage on TG4 and RTÉ
Both days of top-tier racing will be broadcast live on terrestrial television, with TG4 airing its first-ever Grade 1 meeting on Saturday and RTÉ covering Sunday’s action.

Tickets and further event details are available at punchestown.com.

Click here for the full fields for racing on Saturday

Click here for the full fields for racing on Sunday

 

 

A collection of Ireland’s premier racehorses are on course to line up at Punchestown’s Premiere Weekend next month as Grade 1 racing returns to the home of jump racing.
Ireland’s highest rated hurdler and highest rated chaser feature among the entries for the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase respectively. Both races will see an increase in prize money this year with the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle receiving a €25,000 boost and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase prize being upped by €50,000.
State Man is one of 12 horses entered for the €150,000 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle which takes place on November 23rd, while dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs could be set for another Punchestown showdown with dual Punchestown Gold Cup winner Fastorslow on November 24th in what could potentially be one of the races of the entire season.

Willie Mullins has only had the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle prised away from his keeping once since 2011, that was when Abacadabras claimed the 2020 renewal for Gordon Elliott and Mullins once again has a strong supporting cast alongside Champion Hurdle hero State Man.
Seeking a hat-trick of victories in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, State Man is joined among the entries by Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle winner Ballyburn, KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle winner Mystical Power and Coolmore Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle winner Lossiemouth as well as Daddy Long Legs, Sir Gerhard and Winter Fog.
Gordon Elliott’s quest for a second victory in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle relies on the Grade 1 winning novice Brighterdaysahead and Fils d’Oudairies who was third in this race last year.
Recent Punchestown winner Aspire Tower may well stick to hurdling for this assignment after getting his season off to a good start at Punchestown this month for Henry de Bromhead, while the potential line up is completed by the locally trained No Looking Back for Oliver McKiernan, and the Andy Slattery-trained Smooth Tom.

A mouthwatering list of 20 horses have been entered for the €150,000 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, headed by Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow.
Galopin Des Champs has reigned supreme twice in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but Fastorslow has had his measure in two editions of the Punchestown Gold Cup as well as the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase last season. Added into the mix is the Gordon Elliott-trained Gerri Colombe and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Banbridge is a fascinating entry having won the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase here in April.
The Jimmy Mangan-trained Spillane’s Tower ended the season with a Grade 1 double when claiming the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse before signing off a fine campaign in the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival and could make his seasonal deubt back at the Kildare venue.

Conor O’Neill, CEO of Punchestown Racecourse, commented: “This is one of the most exciting times of the year for all of the team here at Punchestown Racecourse as we reignite the jump season with quality Grade 1 racing. We have 32 horses entered across our first two big races of the season, the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle which has six individual Grade 1 winners entered and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase with 16 of the 20 entries already proven as Grade 1 winners.
“It is already promising to be a fantastic weekend at Punchestown and we can’t wait to welcome back so many familiar faces who will be in for an absolute treat.”

A weekend ticket to cover both days of the Punchestown Premiere Weekend is just €25 and more details on all available packages can be found at www.punchestown.com

THE PUNCHESTOWN PREMIERE WEEKEND INFO PAGE

 

When – Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November

 

Feature Races

 

Times  

 

Tickets  – BOOK HERE

 

Our Famous Race & Dine from €65pp – VIEW HERE

Enhance your race day with family and friends from only €65pp up to €115pp. Options range from private suites with tailored menus to our flagship Corinthian and Watch House restaurants offering some of the most highly reviewed food in racing enjoyed with the best views in sport.

 

Transport 

 

Family Friendly Venue with Free Kids Stuff!

All children under 14 race for free. Santa Truck here on Saturday. Santa Train on Sunday. Hay Cafe and The Feedroom Cafe  offering full menu of snacks, carvery, salads, barista coffee and of course child sized portions.

All families in attendance can enter to Win a Trip to Lapland. 

 

Music, shops, snacks and strolls. 

Aside from top class grade one racing there will be live music from Evolution (Saturday) and The Sandmen (Sunday) available to all and located in the grandstand.

A festive shopping pavilion will welcome visitors at the turnstiles and as always there will be something for all ages throughout the enclosures.

Pick up a barista coffee and warm pastries or chips and a pint and enjoy a stroll around one of Ireland’s favorite venues in the foothills of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.

 

What To Wear:

It’s Ireland….in November….so wrap up to enjoy the best of the day. If you are attending one of our restaurant or suite venues we suggest at least smart casual to fully suited and booted. There are plenty of comfortable cosy indoor venues with great access to the parade ring and viewing stands.

 

Can We Assist ?

The best way to keep up to date is to follow our social media channels. Please feel free to contact our team for further assistance on 00 353 (0)45 897704 or contact info@punchestown.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Punchestown Announce €50,000 BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series

Punchestown Racecourse together with BetVictor are delighted to announce an exciting €50,000 BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series for the upcoming season at the home of Irish jump racing.

Focusing on the maiden hurdle and bumper ranks, there will be 11 qualifying races throughout the season and the first horse that has won a qualifying race and goes on to win a 2025 Punchestown Festival Grade 1 will scoop the €50,000 BetVictor bonus.

The BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series will get underway with the opening BetVictor Maiden Hurdle and the concluding BetVictor Flat Race on Wednesday’s card at Punchestown.

Previous graduates from this Punchestown fixture include 2023 Supreme Hurdle winner Marine Nationale and multiple Grade 1 winner Samcro.

Sam Boswell of BetVictor said: “We are delighted to support the BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series to go alongside our continued sponsorship of Irish racing. We hope to see as many horses as possible take up the challenge to land the lucrative prize.
“We feel this series adds further interest to the qualifying races prior to the Punchestown Festival in the spring. Everyone at BetVictor loves Punchestown and we look forward to this renewed partnership with such a historic track and we have plenty more exciting activations planned across the jumps season for our Irish customers.”

Punchestown Marketing Manager, Leona Hughes, welcomed the new series: “The €50,000 BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series is exactly the kind of exciting initiative that we love to see at Punchestown. Future champions emerge throughout the season here and with a €50,000 bonus on the table it is a great incentive to encourage even more thrilling festival performances. We want to extend our thanks to Sam Boswell and the BetVictor team for their wonderful support of our season.”

THE BETVICTOR GRADUATION BONUS SERIES QUALIFIERS

October 16
2m Maiden Hurdle – Cappucino (T) Liz Doyle (J) Sean Flanagan (O) Cappucino Partnership
2m Bumper 4y0 Only (Winners Of 1) – Friary Road (T) Ted Walsh (J) Mr J H Williamson (O) Mrs Helen Walsh

15 November
2m 3yo Hurdle (Winners Of 1) – Coul Dreamer (T) W McCreery (J) Ricky Doyle (O) Mrs Suzanne McAuley & Ms C A Jennings
2m4f Maiden Hurdle – Irancy – (T) W P Mullins (J) Mark Walsh (O) Mr John P McManus

24 November
2m1f Bumper – Kalypso’chance (T) Gordon Elliott (J) Harry Swan (O) Gigginstown House Stud

*13 January*
2m 4yo Maiden Hurdle – Castleheath – (T) Ciaran Murphy (J) E Walsh (O) Niall & Cathal Slevin
3m100y 4yo+ Maiden Hurdle – Will The Wise – (T) Gavin Cromwell (J) Keith Donoghue (O) Have No Clue Syndicate

*27 January*
2m 5yo+ Maiden Hurdle – Karbau – (T) Willie Mullins (J) Paul Townend (O) Barnane Stud, Partner & Temple Bloodstock
2m4f 5yo+ Mares Maiden Hurdle – Maughreen (T) Willie Mullins (J) Paul Townend (O) Closutton Racing Club

*19 February*
2m 148 yds 5yo+ Maiden Hurdle (Div 1) – Adela Icon (T) Willie Mullins (J) Brian Hayes (O) Temple Bloodstock Adela Icon Syndicate

2m 148 yds 5yo+ Maiden Hurdle (Div 2) – Runcok (T) Willie Mullins (J) Paul Townend (O) Simon Munir & Isaac Souede

2m5f Mares Maiden Hurdle – Joshua’s Daylami (T) P G Fahey (J) Cian Cullinan (O) James John Hughes

*Awaiting 2025 Provisional Summary*

HORSE RACING ODDS

 

Media Release – Friday 13th September 2024: As Punchestown prepares to host its sole flat meeting of the season, the racecourse today announced that leading horsebox manufacturer Overlander, are to join the sponsorship line-up at the famous sporting venue.

The new partnership will see Overlander named as Punchestown’s preferred horse transport vehicle alongside a 2025 Punchestown Festival race sponsorship with a complete digital, video, print and social media branding package that will run throughout the season.

Based in the N7 Commercial Centre in Naas, Co. Kildare, the Overlander team place emphasis on quality, safety and service. The model range is expertly engineered around the horse to offer an elevated, user-friendly design that incorporates the highest standards for safe, durable equine transport. In essence, Overlander vehicles work hard and look good doing it.

Joining an existing strategy that includes sponsorship with Naas racecourse and an ambassador role held by trainer Ted Walsh, Punchestown is the latest marketing move by N7 Commercials Managing Director and Overlander Vehicles Co-founder Robert McDonnell. Commenting on the sponsorship announcement McDonnell said: We’re all thrilled at Overlander to have the opportunity to work with Punchestown Racecourse. Our brand stands for durability, style and reliability – driving innovation in horse transport while supporting the champions who inspire it. This partnership reflects our commitment to equestrian excellence and together we are transporting the future of equestrian excellence one race at a time”.

Leona Hughes, Punchestown sponsorship manager welcomed the Overlander team by saying: “It is always a pleasure to work with a team that share the same values and ambitions. The Overlander team use the phrase ‘built beyond’ which emphasises that ethos of exceeding expectations. This together with emphasis on quality, customer service and hard working products and services is our common ground and the reason why we are very happy to welcome Overlander to Punchestown”.

The Punchestown season gets underway on Tuesday 17th September with an all flat card ahead of the return of jump racing on 15th and 16th October.

To view the full overlander range please visit www.overlandervehicles.co.uk/horsebox or www.n7commericalcentre.ie/

 

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

ENDS

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