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Lossiemouth is crowned the Queen of Hurdling on Ladies Day at Punchestown!

Top Class Racing – Record Crowds – Sensational Style

The Boodles Champion Hurdle was won today by Lossiemouth, making it a career tally of 11 Grade 1’s for the popular grey mare, as she justified her short-priced favouritism in the hands of jockey Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins and proud owners Susannah and Rich Ricci.

The win completed an incredible Irish and English trio for jockey Paul Townend who won the Champion Chase, Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle in Ireland (Punchestown) and England (Cheltenham) this year with the English Grand National (Aintree) serving almost as the cheery on top in a tremendous season of all seasons for the Cork man.

Longford lass Oniesa Owen was crowned the 2026 Bolling Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Wearing Italian label Ter et Bantine top and coat, teamed with Roisin Linnane trousers, Alaia shoes, a hat by Wendy Louise and a classic Chanel bag she wowed the judging panel led by head judge Jess Colivet and Bollinger representative Arthur Robert.

Another milestone today was jockey Mark Walsh recording his 900th career win at Punchestown. The Kildare native commented that he could not have wished for a better place to record his 900th winner as a jockey than Punchestown and at the Punchestown Festival.

43,572 attended the Punchestown Festival today compared with 42,138 on the corresponding day last year.

The Punchestown Festival continues tomorrow with the first race of an eight races commencing at 2.30pm. Typically, a very busy yet more casual race day experience, the festival finale is Family Day at the County Kildare venue. Offering top class racing, a jam-packed off track entertainment programme, the crowning of this seasons National Hunt Champions and the annual Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity Race, there is plenty to look forward to. All children under 14 go free when accompanied by an adult, for all details and tickets visit punchestown.com.


Ireland’s most prestigious style competition, The Bollinger Best Dressed grand finale took place at Punchestown this afternoon.

Longford woman Oniesa Owens was crowned the 2026 Bollinger Best Dressed Lady at the Punchestown Festival today. Her prize, an exclusive money can’t buy trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate. Her travel companion already confirmed! Oniesa will be bringing her twin sister Aishling on this trip of a lifetime.

Wearing a very chic and elegant look, her navy Ter et Bantine fur effect coat and top were purchased from Fabiani in Longford last year for a wedding. She teamed them with navy barrel leg trousers by Roisin Linnane. Her hat by Wendy Louise was borrowed for the day and her striking red heels are by Alaia and classic Chanel bag were her own.

An emotional winner, Oniesa Owens commented “It just feels amazing. I love fashion, I love style, it goes back generations to my own grandmother in Country Leitrim, I’m just so delighted!”

Oniesa has won the ‘money can’t buy’ trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate, a prize she is set to share with her identical twin sister Aishling, who also loves fashion. Their prize includes flights to Paris, a luxury stay at five star hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, an exclusive by invitation experience at Champagne Bollinger including private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region eims, plus a year’s supply of Bollinger.

Head judge Jess Colivet, described Oniesa’s winning look, she said “It was just an outstanding look from top to toe, completely polished, very curated, effortlessly elegant and very chic. She cleverly brought in that pop of red shoe into the look complemented by a gorgeous red lip, she borrowed the hat and she was very appropriate for racing. We just loved her energy, you could tell she was so comfortable and it was a unanimous decision.”

Not be forgotten the men, thanks to Louis Copeland who sponsored a prize for the Best Dressed Man today also. Local man, Daire Cullen won wearing a beautiful Tuscany green suit by Suits Supply, a Kennedy McSharry hat, Mr. Jenks pocket square, a tie by Ferragamo and shoes from Churches. Daire said “I’m absolutely over the moon, delighted, humbled and proud. My wife was actually a finalist here on Wednesday, so I’m thrilled to be keeping up with the family! We live locally and have been coming to Punchestown religiously for the last 10 years, we wouldn’t miss it!”   

The Punchestown Festival continues tomorrow with gates open from 12 noon and the first race of a seven race card starts at 2.30pm. Typically, a very busy yet more casual raceday experience, it’s Family Day at the County Kildare venue. Offering top class racing, a jam-packed off track entertainment programme, the crowning of this seasons National Hunt Champions and the annual Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity Race, there is plenty to look forward to. All children under 14 go free when accompanied by an adult, for all details and tickets visit punchestown.com.

 

Press Release: Thursday, April 30 2026

For Immediate Release

Irish Designer wows the Bollinger Best Dressed judges at Punchestown today!

Wexford Fashion Designer, Julie Caulfield has won the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition today. A regular at the Punchestown Festival, Julie always opts to wear her own designs to enjoy the fashion, racing and social scene at the County Kildare venue.

Donning a power blue beautifully textured two-piece from her own collection, a boater style custom made hat by Catriona King Designs and a bag which she cleverly covered in dead stock material, Julie was quickly identified as a firm favourite in the Bollinger best dressed competition today.

Guest Judge, Niamh Devereux, Acting Editor of Irish Country Magazine said “She really stood out to me from early doors. Irish designed from head to toe. It was just the most exquisite, dainty, beautiful look and it was a total show-stopper.”

In keeping with the theme “something old, something new…” Julie completed her look with shoes she borrowed from a friend, Dylan Oaks earrings she won in a goodie bag previously and her sister’s bracelet, which she was terrified she would lose!

Describing the inspiration for the look, Julie Caulfield said “I love the structured style of the 40’s and 50’s. I think they just knew how to dress women back then – bringing in the waist of everything but with that structure of the top so I loved designing and wearing it today because it is so structured at the top yet so floaty and romantic at the bottom, I’m delighted with the win and thrilled the judges loved it too!”

Head judge Jess Colivet said, “Julie Caulfield is an absolute vision today in powder blue and from the moment we saw her, she was the one everyone had to beat. Our decision was unanimous and we are delighted to see her fast tracked through to tomorrow’s grand finale, she absolutely deserves it.”

Remarkably, the best dressed final line up included five ladies and one man today, a wild card introduced at the judges’ request, Jess explained “The standard among the men was incredibly high, we saw some truly exceptional looks. But there was one gentleman who was simply outstanding, and we couldn’t let that moment pass. His tailoring was impeccable, his style absolutely immaculate just really, truly stunning. We weren’t willing to take a place away from any of the women on stage, so instead we made the decision to add Raymond Gilbourne in as our wild card and he looks amazing up there. It was absolutely the right decision.”

Widely regarded as Ireland’s most prestigious style competition, The Bollinger Best Dressed competition takes place across the first four days of the festival from Tuesday 28th April to the final on Friday 1st May inclusive. Today’s winner, Louisa Murphy has been fast-tracked to the grand finale on Friday when the overall Bollinger Best Dressed Winner for 2026 will receive a ‘money can’t buy’ trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate. The overall prize includes flights to Paris, 5* Hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, an exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience including private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region Reims plus a year’s supply of Bollinger.

ENDS.

 

For Further Information Contact:

Carey Ann Lordan, Red PR

M: 087 9270730         E: clordan@redpr.ie               T: 052 6184343

 

Shona Dreaper, Punchestown

T: 045 897704          E: sdreaper@punchestown.com

 

Editors Notes: 

Pics attached | No repo fee (Michael Chester / Shelley O’Rourke)

PIC Caption Suggestion: “Fashion Designer, Julie Caulfield wins Bollinger Best Dressed Competition at the Punchestown Festival Today”

 

WHAT?

The famous Bollinger Best Dressed Competition returns. Widely regarded as Ireland’s most prestigious style competition, The Bollinger Best Dressed takes place across the first four days of the festival from Tuesday 28th April to the final on Friday 1st May.

 

WHEN?

The Bollinger Best Dressed judging starts on Tuesday 28th April and runs through to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 1st May.

Each day judges will scout the crowds and enclosures seeking out looks from 1.30pm ahead of racing getting underway at 2.30pm (3.30pm on Friday).

Finalists will be asked to gather in the Bollinger Garden in the South Enclosure from 3.30pm.

A winner will be selected from the daily finalists by 4.30pm each day so please arrive early.

That winner progresses to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 1st May!

 

WHERE?

While judges will cover as many locations around the enclosures, pavilions and venues as possible, The Bollinger Champagne Lounge and Garden located in the South enclosure will be the Style Quarter for the festival. This is where daily and grand finalists will take to the stage for judging each day straight after the second race.

 

EYES ON THE PRIZE

 

WHO?

The Bollinger Best Dressed competition is open to everyone. There will be a separate prize for gents on Friday 1 May thanks for Louis Copeland

 

THE JUDGES 

Based only a stones throw from Punchestown, in county Kildare, Ireland, Lead Judge Jess Colivet is a renowned personal stylist and content creator known for her inspiring fashion insights on Instagram. With a postgraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin and a Personal Styling qualification from the London College of Style, her impressive career includes serving as Head Dresser for Paul Costelloe at London Fashion Week, working with esteemed designers such as Richard Quinn and Rixo. Jess has collaborated with Tory Burch, LK Bennett, Bollinger, Trinny London, Boodles, Punchestown, Paul Sheeran and more . Jess’s impeccable style has been highlighted by SheerLuxe, The Gloss, and Image Magazine in their “A Week in My Wardrobe” features.Sustainability is at the heart of Jess’s fashion philosophy. She advocates for quality over quantity, encouraging mindful fashion choices and inspiring her followers to embrace slow fashion.

 

Entrepreneur, designer, and digital creator, Jennifer Wrynne has cultivated a distinctive presence within Ireland’s fashion and lifestyle landscape, underpinned by an innate sense of elegance and attention to detail. Alongside her work in fashion, she is also a milliner and designer not to mention Mum to four young children!

Beyond style, Jennifer has recently shared a deeply personal chapter of her life, navigating and overcoming breast cancer with honesty, resilience, and grace. Through this experience, she has connected with her audience on a more profound level, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire strength in others. Her content reflects a life that balances family, creativity, and modern luxury grounded in authenticity and a strong sense of self.

This Wicklow based pair started an Instagram page to share outfits and style finds that mix forever pieces with high street buys. They now have a community of 92,000 followers! Both will bring a gorgeous fresh outlook as neither have ever been racing before never mind been part of a best dressed racing event. We love their approach to putting outfits together without spending a fortune.

 

Deputy Editor Niamh Devereux will represent the Irish Country Magazine team for co-judge duties on Festival Thursday. As a champion for Irish design and channeling the Something Old/Something New sustainable fashion theme, Niamh says “I’ll be looking for the best stories behind the outfits with a particular eye for Irish design”. The overall winner will star in the My Style My Story feature along with official portrait in The Irish Country Magazine.

The Bollinger Best Dressed Judges Punchestown 2026

 

Arthur Robert – Friday Final

In his roll as Bollinger Business Manager for France and Europe, Arthur Robert, will have a keen eye for who represents this timeless, luxury brand. Arthur is originally from Lyon, France. Raised on the wines of Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley, he naturally found his way into the wine industry in 2013. While studying hospitality and wine business, he completed an MBA and gained hands-on experience through an internship with a small-scale group of biodynamic winemakers, working across a wide range of French terroirs, including Champagne. Having long considered Bollinger his favourite house, it was only natural for him to join the company, where he now oversees the French and EU markets.

Michelle O’Sullivan – Friday Final

A director of Bollinger representatives in Ireland, Findlater & Co, Michelle has over two decades of experience working in the wine industry and has been instrumental in the development of the Bollinger Best Dressed at Punchestown since 2016.

Kildare-born Verona Farrell, also known as @secondhandhuns, is a content-creator, writer and street-style videographer. During an Erasmus semester in Sweden, spotting fashionable Scandinavians on the street inspired her popular video series – ‘What People Are Wearing’, leading to one million followers across Tiktok and Instagram and a column with Vogue Scandinavia. Today she is based in London, where she continues to grow her online presence while studying book writing at a publishing house, Faber.

Verona joins us as guest judge alongside Team Bollinger and Jess Colivet.

Gentlemen’s Prize Awarded Friday 1 May thanks to @louiscopeland_and_sons

Managing Director of Pembroke Street and Galway Louis Copeland.

Aptly named known as ‘The Style Doctor’ David has been working with the Louis Copeland group for over twenty years where he has styled some of the sharpest dressed, well known gentlemen including actors Patrick Dempsey and John C Reilly, celebrity chef Donal Skeahan, Tv Presenter and Olympian Greg O’Shea and globally renowned Mentalist Keith Barry.

Keen to champion gentlemen’s style and optimize the opportunity for the title to go the way of the men for the first time, David will be looking for perfect fit through great tailoring as well as attention to detail on presentation.

 

THE THEME REMAINS SUSTAINABLE

Something Old/ Something New for 2026

We are excited to introduce the Something Old/Something New theme focused on sustainable fashion. This simply means to take a considered approach to your race day look.

Start by shopping your own wardrobe. Is there a key piece that you can reinvent?

Exchange, borrow, swap and rent key pieces with your circle of friends and the many fashion rental businesses that have launched.

Invest in quality. Buy something that you love. That is really well made using quality materials and design. Think of timeless style.

Visit one of the many pre-loved stores online or in person and bag a quality piece for a fraction of the price.

A glorious start to the Punchestown Festival!

 

Almost 18,000 attendees enjoyed a glorious start to the opening leg of the five-day festival at Punchestown Racecourse. The great and the good of National Hunt Racing from both sides of the Irish sea went head-to-head on the track, while social racegoers basked in the glorious sunshine and soaked up the electric atmosphere.

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

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

Genevieve Ryan from Roscommon enjoyed a superb first visit to the Punchestown Festival when she was chosen as the daily winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition. Having really embraced the theme of the competition and shopped her own wardrobe first, Genevieve wowed the judges and attendees with her impeccable style and the story of how she curated her unique twist on the classic monochrome look.

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

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

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

Mullane was another Depop purchase.

 

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

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

 

ENDS.

The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition Returns for 2025 Punchestown Festival

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

Introducing Guest Judges Aoife McNamara and Isabel Gleeson

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

Punchestown Announce ‘Something Old/Something New’ Bollinger Best Dressed Details 

The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition Returns for 2025 Punchestown Festival

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

Introducing Guest Judges Aoife McNamara and Isabel Gleeson

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

 

Media Release Wednesday 2nd April – The prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed competition returns to the Punchestown Festival at the end of April with some fresh new faces and a forward-thinking theme: “Something Old/ Something New” in recognition of the iconic champagne house recently achieved B Corp status.

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

The prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed competition remains a highlight of the Punchestown Festival taking place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May. Event tickets start from €35 with concessions for seniors, students and families (on Saturday 3rd May). For full event details please visit www.punchestown.com
ENDS
#Ptown25 #BollingerBestDressed #PunchestownFestival

Meet Your Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council 

 

Lead Judge – Jess Colivet  @jesscolivet  

Personal stylist and content creator Jess Colivet, is based in Kildare, Ireland, and her Instagram feed is full of great fashion inspiration. After completing a postgraduate degree at Trinity and a trend forecasting course at the London College of Style, Jess started her Instagram journey in 2020 and has been charting her style ever since.

This is Jess’s 3rd year leading the Style Council at the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition at Punchestown Festival. Personal style should be an extension of your personality and the version of yourself that you want to share with the world. To me, there is nothing more stylish than someone wearing their clothes with confidence. Don’t let age define your style.

 

Jessica O’Mahony @jeskaomahony 

Jessica is our newest addition to the Style Council for Bollinger Best Dressed 2024. As a busy mum of three, Jessica has amassed a following of over 95,000 Instagram (@jeskaomahony) followers thanks to her enviable sense of style from formal occasion wear to casual match day outfits and everything in between. Whilst more familiar pitch side than track side, as Jessica’s husband is Peter O’Mahony, captain of the victorious Six Nations Irish rugby team, the Cork woman is looking forward to embracing this new experience. Whilst I’m as comfortable in casual wear I do love an excuse to pull out all the stops and a big day out at the races with friends is just that, not to mention the amazing prize from Bollinger.”

 

Eve Gottesman & Michelle O’Sullivan  @Champagne_Bollinger

Bollinger is a timeless classic. A world renowned brand built on heritage and craft. It is the taste and soul of Champagne. Much of Bollinger’s success today is traced back to ‘Lily’who married into the family and took over the reins in 1914. In a continuation of female influence at Bollinger, today Michelle and Eva will represent at the Punchestown Festival. They will be looking for essence of Bollinger in the winner – elegance and style.

 

Suzie O Neill @suzie.ayu

Kildare resident and award-winning entrepreneur Suzie O’Neill is the owner and CEO of Ayu Cosmetics and Koolfit Apparel. Suzie’s ethos has always been about engagement with the customer and using feedback to inspire and develop new products. This will be Suzie’s second year on The Style Council at Punchestown.
Suzie’s business journey started with a range of affordable, premium quality brushes back in 2015 and since then AYU has expanded to include a full suite of cosmetics with many new and innovative products in the pipeline. A champion of women in business Suzie has a team of over 35 talented women and men across her brands.
When not running her successful business this busy Mum is running marathons with Clane Athletics Club.

 

Roxanne Parker @roxanne_parker

Roxanne Parker began her journalism career 20 years ago and has been working as a fashion stylist for more than 20 years. Roxanne’s styling skills are highly sought after for magazine and print media editorials and designer brand look books as well as curating television broadcast wardrobes. Roxanne writes a monthly sustainability column “A Better Way” for Social & Personal magazine and has dressed celebrities in sustainable looks for the red carpet. Roxanne has launched a Sustainable Fashion Podcast My Soul Style.

Roxanne champions sustainable and slow fashion and supports designers and brands creating pieces with a planet conscious mission while encouraging people to dress as their authentic selves and not be a slave to trends. A Roxanne style top tip would be to source a great tailor and alterations service which can transform existing items or elevate great second hand finds.

 

Lawson Mpame @lawsofstyle

Lawson Mpame is a Creative Director and menswear stylist who has been working in the fashion industry for seven years. His passion for fashion and storytelling through visual mediums has led to collaborations and projects with some of the biggest fashion brands in the world. Styling their latest collections and creating high end content allows Lawson to showcase both his style and creativity. The three pillars of his brand are class, creativity and confidence. 2024 will be Lawson’s second year on The Style Council and his very first visit to the Punchestown Festival.

 

David O Connor @styledoc

Louis Copeland Group GM/Creative Director/ Made-To-Measure specialist.
Aptly named known as ‘The Style Doctor’ David has been working with the Louis Copeland group for over twenty years where he has styled some of the sharpest dressed, well known gentlemen including actors Patrick Dempsey and John C Reilly, celebrity chef Donal Skeahan, Tv Presenter and Olympian Greg O’Shea and globally renowned Mentalist Keith Barry.
This will be David’s Punchestown debut and as a passionate flag bearer of gentlemen’s style he will be looking for impeccable grooming, excellent tailoring fit and perhaps a different take on the traditional occasion suit.

Keen to champion gentlemen’s style and optimize the opportunity for the title to go the way of the men for the first time, David will be looking for perfect fit through great tailoring as well as attention to detail on presentation.

 

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

Jessica O’Mahony Welcomed as the Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council Assembles for Punchestown 2024

Media Release, Thursday 28th March 2024: As the countdown to the 2024 Punchestown Festival gets underway the Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council is delighted to welcome Jessica O’Mahony as guest judge for the prestigious racing fashion competition.

As a busy mum of three, Jessica has amassed a following of over 95,000 Instagram (@jeskaomahony) followers thanks to her enviable sense of style from formal occasion wear to casual match day outfits and everything in between. Whilst more familiar pitch side than track side, as Jessica’s husband is Peter O’Mahony, captain of the victorious Six Nations Irish rugby team, the Cork woman is looking forward to embracing this new experience “This will be my first visit to the Punchestown Festival and certainly my first time being involved in a style competition like this. I’m excited to experience a different side of a major sporting event and take in all the fashion, colour and atmosphere that it brings. Whilst I’m as comfortable in casual wear I do love an excuse to pull out all the stops and a big day out at the races with friends is just that, not to mention the amazing prize from Bollinger.”

The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May with the iconic champagne house Bollinger celebrating eight years involvement at the social and sporting highlight. The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition takes place over the first four days of the event. Judges and style scouts will be tasked with seeking out a number of finalists each day. The daily winner will then progress to the grand final on Ladies Day, Festival Friday, 3rd May.

The overall winner and guest will enjoy an appropriately stylish and exclusive ‘money cannot buy’ trip to the famous Champagne Bollinger Estate with luxury overnight stays in Paris and Reims to include Michelin dining and private transfers. Truly a trip of a lifetime and something worth dressing up for.

Jessica O’Mahony joins the established and diverse Style Council led by head judge, stylist and influencer Jess Colivet and ably assisted by returning names including beauty entrepreneur Suzie O’Neill of AYU, David O’Connor from Louis Copeland, stylist Lawson Mpame, sustainable fashion stylist Roxanne Parker, former winner Katie Nally-McCormack and MC Marietta Doran. Travelling especially from France to enjoy her first Punchestown Festival experience is Champagne Bollinger Brand Ambassador Eva Gottesman. The best place to keep up to date with Bollinger Best Dressed information is via the Punchestown Instagram page

This year’s Punchestown Festival will roll out new reduced ticket pricing, a refreshed layout with enhanced customer experience venues and earlier start times on the first two days. Whilst hospitality is now sold out from Tuesday to Friday there is limited availability on Saturday 4th May with waiting lists in operation throughout the week. For full event information and ticket options please visit: www.punchestown.com

 

 

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