First ever Irish Jockey Sprint to take place at Punchestown Festival

TWENTY of the best jockeys across Ireland will swap saddles for runners on Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at Punchestown for the first ever Irish Ladbrokes Jockey Sprint.

This Wednesday some of the most successful names in racing will lace up for the inaugural Irish Ladbrokes Jockey Sprint Cup before the first race, featuring a stellar line-up including Patrick Mullins, Danny Mullins, Darragh O’Keefe, Brian Hayes and Aine O’Connor to name but a few.

Ladbrokes hosted the first ever UK Jockey Sprint at Ayr in September 2025 and since then Irish jockeys have been clamouring for their own edition to crown the fastest jumps jockey at a fitting Irish jumps course.

Jockeys were encouraged to join the race with Ladbrokes pledging €250 per jockey running to be donated to the Irish Injured Jockeys.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes commented: “We’ve all seen how fast these jockeys can go on horseback, but just how fast can they go on their own two legs across 200m? This cup would definitely hold pride of place in any jockey’s trophy cabinet and for a very worthy cause too.”

Janet Creighton, of Punchestown commented: “With €250 charity donation per athlete on the table it’s truly is a case of taking part that counts although knowing some of the jockeys in the line up it’s as much about winning on horseback or on foot! . Thank you to them and of course to Ladbrokes for this engaging initiative for a great cause. ”

The Ladbrokes Irish Jockey Sprint is due to take place at approx. 1.15pm on Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day – Wednesday 29th April.

Visit www.punchestown.com for ticket bookings and full event details.