DAY 2 – Sunshine, Faith and Fastorslow all deliver on Day Two of the Punchestown Festival  

It was another increased attendance at peerless Punchestown this afternoon, where 21,652 spectators enjoyed day two of the action packed five-day festival. With the sun shining, Faith deemed best dressed and the feature race winner ‘Fastorslow’ ensuring the Bollinger stayed flowing, there was plenty to celebrate at the County Kildare venue.

Fastorslow delivered again today for owners Sean and Bernadine Mulryan to take the feature race on the card, the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. He bravely denied Galopin Des Champs to retain his crown in fine style for trainer Martin Brassil and Jockey JJ Slevin.

Faith Amond, hailing from Milford, Carlow, graced the Punchestown Races with her signature elegance, turning heads with her impeccable outfit choices. Her ensemble was a tribute to timeless sophistication, with a hat by Caithriona King Millinery adding a touch of flair, complemented by a bespoke dress crafted by Kilkenny designer Miriam Nolan. Faith’s Fendi vintage bag, retrieved from her wardrobe after years of ownership, added a nostalgic charm to her look. Completing her ensemble were gloves by Paula Rowan and exquisite jewellery by Miriam Haskell.

Despite celebrating her 71st birthday just last month, Faith’s attendance at the Punchestown Races spans over four decades, a testament to her enduring love for the event and passion for fashion. While her style is undeniably impeccable, Faith has only been a finalist twice ever at Punchestown, showcasing her humility and genuine passion for attending the races annually.

The judging panel on Wednesday, consisting of Jess Colivet, David O’Connor, Kate Nally McCormack, and Michelle O’Sullivan, praised Faith’s ensemble, with Jess Colivet noting that the winner embodied the timeless taste and style synonymous with Bollinger.

The day dawned with sunny skies, setting the stage for an atmosphere of excitement that peaked to breathtaking heights as the races unfolded. Faith’s presence added an extra layer of charm to the already vibrant ambiance, making the popular winner a standout figure amidst the festivities. She will now progress to Friday’s grand final when the overall winner will be announced.

The attendance was up again today with 21,652 in attendance compared to 20,354 in 2023. The first race tomorrow (Thursday) goes to post at 3.40pm the feature is the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdles with 11 runners declared.

For more information and updates on the Punchestown Festival visit www.punchestown.com.