Punchestown Welcome The Stables Restaurant Naas
New Three-Year Sponsorship Deal Announced
Media Release, Monday 30th March 2026: With just four weeks to go to the 2026 Punchestown Festival, the home of Irish jump racing today welcomed The Stables Restaurant Naas as an exciting addition to the sponsorship line-up for the flagship sporting event. The three-year agreement will see the popular new dining venue sponsor The Stables Restaurant Naas Flat Race on one of Ireland’s leading fixtures, Ladies Day, Friday 1 May 2026.
Located in Poplar Square in the centre of Naas, The Stables Restaurant has quickly established itself as a vibrant addition to the local food scene since opening its doors on 25th September last year. As the name suggests, chef proprietor Nick Courtney and his wife Jeanne, have a shared passion for horse racing and have combined this with Nick’s impressive resume that includes The K Club, The Merrion and the Cashel Palace in his hometown as a Tipperary native.
In advance of opening, the venue underwent a major renovation project and the result is an interior that blends contemporary dining with equestrian character. From striking racing imagery and themed design elements to a dedicated display celebrating memorable wins and favourite horses. In just eight months, The Stables has already gained a loyal following, with diners praising both the quality of the food, the strong team culture, with a focus on friendly, attentive service.
Having established themselves on the Kildare food scene the move into race sponsorship is a natural next step for the couple, whose connection to horse racing runs deep. The association with Punchestown holds special significance as one of the highlights of the Courtney’s ownership experience was when Gordon Elliott trained Minella Crooner won the Pat Taaffe Steeplechase on the final day of the 2024 Festival.
“This partnership means a lot to us personally,” said Chef-Proprietor Nick Courtney. “Racing has always been a big part of our lives, so to be involved with Punchestown and to sponsor a race on such a major day is something we’re very proud of.”
Jeanne Courtney looks forward to welcoming racegoers: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built in a short space of time. For us, it’s about creating a place where people feel welcome, enjoy great food, and leave happy. That’s always the goal. We are looking forward to meeting and looking after those who share our passion for Punchestown and racing.”
Janet Creighton and Leona Hughes of the Punchestown sponsorship team commented: “Nothing gives us more pride than teaming up with a local business that we are proud to send Punchestown visitors to before and after their race day experience. Where people eat, drink, meet and are welcomed and valued is so integral to their overall experience. Combine this with a passion for the sport and it’s a winning combination. We wish Nick and Jeanne the very best with their venture and really look forward to working alongside them”.
The Stables Naas are now taking bookings for the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May. Full information available on www.punchestown.com and www.thestablesnaas.ie
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Sebden Steel Celebrates 30 Years in Business at the Punchestown Festival 2026
Media Release, 4th March March 2026: Punchestown Racecourse is proud to host the Sebden Steel Celebrating 30 Years In Business Pro/Am Flat Race, on the concluding day of the 2026 Punchestown Festival and jump racing season, Saturday 2nd May.The sponsorship marks a significant milestone for Sebden Steel as the company celebrates three decades in business and continues their valued and longstanding relationship with Ireland’s racecourse of the year.
Sebden Steel has been a loyal supporter of Punchestown for many years, initially as hospitality clients, however, as the relationship grew so did their involvement and in 2022 Sebden Steel stepped up to become race sponsors at the Punchestown Premiere Weekend in November. Since then, Punchestown has remained Sebden Steel’s flagship hospitality event, providing an important platform to engage with clients, colleagues, and industry partners.
The exciting 2026 Festival sponsorship holds particular significance as it celebrates Sebden Steel’s 30-year journey from an independent start-up in the 1990s to what is now now the largest privately owned mill-independent steel processors and stockholders of strip mill and reversing mill plate products in the UK & Ireland. Sebden have a combined processing capacity in excess of 50,000 tonnes per month and sell over 300,000 tonnes of steel a year from seven strategically placed locations throughout Ireland and the UK.
Sebden Steel Managing Director Mark McCausland looked forward to the occasion: ” A thirty year anniversary in any walk of life is an occasion to be marked and celebrated as it is a culmination of hard work by many people. As Sebden Steel has grown over the years so too has our requirement to really look after our loyal customers and hard-working team. Punchestown has grown with us and we, but more importantly our guests, have had some memorable days there. When talk of an anniversary event came up, the natural choice was to enhance our Punchestown experience and the opportunity arose to sponsor on the day which will add a whole new dimension for our guests. We look forward to returning to Punchestown”.
Punchestown’s Leona Hughes welcomed the continued partnership and milestone sponsorship, noting Sebden Steel’s progression from hospitality clients to race sponsors as a reflection of the strong relationships and shared values built over many years: “Since day one it has been a pleasure to welcome the Mark and Loretta McCausland as clients at Punchestown. Sebden Steel is a serious operation and market leader so it is imperative that our team deliver both a hospitality and sponsorship experience that aligns with expectations. We are honoured to host the Sebden Steel 30-Years in Business Celebration Day.”
The Sebden Steel Celebrating 30-Years In Business Pro/Am Flat Race on Saturday 2nd May promises to be a fitting tribute to the company’s achievements and commitment to excellence, while further enhancing the Saturday programme at the 2026 Punchestown Festival — a highlight of the Irish sporting and social calendar.
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Stars to Shine at Punchestown Premiere Weekend
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November 2025
Punchestown Racecourse is gearing up for an unmissable two days of top-class jump racing as the Punchestown Premiere Weekend returns on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November. The highlight fixture will showcase the very best of Irish jumps racing, featuring the highly anticipated Grade One double header – the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and the John Durkan Memorial Chase.
The Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, an integral early-season test for the country’s leading hurdlers, will take centre stage on Saturday. A new name is set to enter the fold following news that reigning champion State Man is out of action for the season due to injury. His absence will open the door to the next generation with entries featuring the unbeaten, Donnelly owned, Anzadam, the Gordon Elliott trained Galway hurdle winner Ndaawi, Aintree winner Salvator Mundi, Punchestown festival winner Irancy and the potential for a Lossiemouth reroute to Punchestown.
Sunday’s card is headlined by the John Durkan Memorial Chase, a race steeped in quality and history. This grade one contest over two and a half miles produced what was considered a race of the season last year with Fact To File galloping to victory. Ireland’s top trainers have entered a galaxy of stars at early closing stage with 44 grade 1 wins between them. Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Inothewayurthinkin, reigning Punchestown Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, Grand National hero Nick Rockett, 2023 Durkan winner Fastorslow and last year’s race winner Fact To File form the foundation of an extremely talented cast.
Irish and British champion trainer Willie Mullins remarked on the importance of the Durkan chase: “I think this years Durkan will be the same in that all the ones you hope and expect to see will pitch up there including Fact To File who is in great shape. He was very good in the race last year and I imagine that’s where he’ll start again.
Mullins continued: “There’s few options as good for those horses and it’s a lovely big galloping track so it’s the obvious choice. They’re ready to go”.
Beyond the track, the Punchestown Premiere Weekend offers that friendly, fun atmosphere that Punchestown is synonymous with. Race goers of all ages can expect a raft of entertainment with free kids festive fun in The Playroom, a chance to win a trip to Lapland on Sunday along with the Laura Lynn Santa Truck visit. For the bigger kids there will be live music after racing, packed restaurants, shopping and buzzing bars with a free shuttle bus to and from Naas.
Conor O’Neill, Punchestown Racecourse CEO said: “We had a vision for The Premiere Weekend and now in it’s third year it has exceeded expectations. We’re proud to bring together racing fans, newcomers, families, and the racing community from near and far for what’s become one of the highlights of the winter calendar. The cross section of demographic is proof that quality sport, entertainment and facilities at the right price is appreciated and will be supported. We are all set for a very special weekend and look forward to welcoming everyone back to Punchestown”.
Tickets, hospitality packages, and full event details are now available at www.punchestown.com
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