Senior Art Competition Winners
6th Class, Room 2 – St. Corban’s BNS
Junior Art Competition Winners
🥇 Lily Monohan – Caragh NS, Ms. Hanly’s 2nd Class
🥈 Isabelle Nixon – Rathmore NS, Ms. Doyle’s 1st Class
🥉 Donnacha Dooling – Ballymore NS, 1st Class
Competition Details
- We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 BritVic Inter School Art Competition at Punchestown.
- 17 schools participated in this years Punchestown Festival Schools Art Competition sponsored by BritVic.
- The Senior classes had the task of designing and creating a trophy to be awarded to the winning connections of a the first race on Saturday, May 3rd.
- The brief was simple – using their creativity and craftsmanship, the students aimed to craft a unique symbol of victory.
- The junior classes were given the exciting challenge of designing a vibrant and playful mane for their horse, using as many fun and colourful materials as they could find. From ribbons and beads to feathers and sparkles, the students let their creativity run wild.
The 2025 BritVic Inter Schools Punchestown Art Competition Participants:
Killashee Multi Denominational National School
Scoil Mhuire National School, Ballymore
Scoil Brid, Oldtown Naas
Scoil Chorbain BNS Naas
Hollywood NS
Ursaille Naofa, Twomilehouse
St Marys J.N.S, Blessington
Ballyshannon National School
An Linbh Iosa, Ballycane
Valleymount
Naas Community National School
Scoil Bhride National School, Kilcullen
Halverstown NS
Rathmore National School
St Marys SNS, Blessington
Kill National School/ Scoil Bhride
Caragh National School
Punchestown Charity Race to Surpass €2 Million for Kidney Research and Organ Donation Awareness
2025 will be a major milestone for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) Charity Race as it is set to exceed €2 million in total funds raised. The 34th running of what is considered the most important race at the festival, will take place on Saturday, 3rd May 2025. This special race is the last of the season as the curtain falls on the national hunt season on the final day of the Punchestown Festival.
This year marks a major milestone: PKRF is set to exceed €2 million in total funds raised since the race began. All proceeds support kidney-related research and initiatives, while also raising crucial awareness about organ donation in Ireland.
The race was founded in 1990 by Kilcullen native James Nolan, who received a life-saving kidney transplant from his sister Catherine Doyle in 1987. After regaining his health, James launched the charity race to give back—and even rode in the first 13 editions, famously winning in 2002 aboard Nero’s Dancer at odds of 50/1.
Recent Impact of the PKRF
Over the past three years, the PKRF has supported a range of life-changing projects:
• Pilot Peer Support Program with the IKA, providing vital emotional and practical support for dialysis and transplant patients and their families.
• James Tracy/PKRF/Kidney Beam Exercise Program, offering free, live and on-demand online fitness classes tailored specifically for kidney patients.
• Research into Polycystic Kidney Disease, in collaboration with the Irish Nephrology Society and the Irish Research Council.
• “State Man” Art Therapy Initiatives for dialysis patients across units in Tallaght, Waterford, and Wexford.
• Sports Programs designed for kidney patients to promote wellness and community.
• A special trip to Lourdes for one dialysis patient and their carer.
• Development of a new “Kidney App” in partnership with Dr. Donal Sexton at St. James’s Hospital, to help patients manage their care.
Racing with a Purpose
The race’s title — “Have the Conversation – Say YES to Organ Donation” — captures its deeper mission. Founder James Nolan urges every family in Ireland to talk openly about organ donation.
“Don’t leave your loved ones in doubt. Have the conversation. It makes all the difference,” says Nolan.
This year, 22 amateur jockeys who have successfully completed their assessments at the Jockey Apprentice School (R.A.C.E.) will take part in the 34th running of this remarkable race.
The 2025 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May. The PKRF Charity Race is the curtain closer on Saturday 3rd May @ 6.30pm. Tickets in advance from €35 or festival week from €40. Senior and student tickets available on the day from €25. Full event details and tickets via the link below.
Marine Nationale “in super form” ahead of possible joust with Fact To File in mouth-watering William Hill Champion Chase
WILLIAM HILL CHAMPION CHASE
(Tuesday, April 29th – 13 entries)
The winners of the last four Queen Mother Champion Chases have been given the option of running in the William Hill Champion Chase, which looks like getting the Punchestown Festival off to a stupendous start.
Energumene (2022, 2023), Captain Guinness (2024) and the new kingpin, Marine Nationale are all included in a mouth-watering list. And if that wasn’t enough to get the juices flowing, Willie Mullins has included easy Ryanair Chase victor, Fact To File for what would be an intriguing look at the minimum trip after scoring so readily over 2m5f last March.
Fact To File won the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown over the intermediate trip in November but Marine Nationale is undoubtedly the one they all have to beat after his stunning exhibition of jumping and closing speed at Cheltenham.
“He’s great, in super form,” declares owner/trainer Barry Connell. “He came out of the race brilliant. He didn’t have much of a blow after the race. I think he was the easiest winner of the whole week and he’s come out of the race in super shape.
“He hasn’t had an over-taxing season really. We’ve been building up to the spring festivals so we’re looking forward to him going to Punchestown. Hopefully we get the usual nice spring ground, which will suit him well.
“The big thing with him was that he came into the season basically still a novice, lacking a lot of experience, and he was being pitched in against battle-hardened chasers and it’s a difficult thing to do, particularly in the two-mile division, where jumping accuracy is so important.
“He kicked off low-key in Naas. That was a big stepping stone. His two runs at Leopardstown were really good. He jumped well and as he usually does when he goes to Cheltenham, he comes alive, loves the place. It was all building towards getting the experience and fitness and everything came together at Cheltenham.
“His jumping was exemplary and it took him into the race without any great effort. And then the usual thing he does, when he jumps the last at Cheltenham, he just takes off.
“We couldn’t be happier with him now looking forward to Punchestown, and whatever turns up, we’ll be happy to take them on.”
William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) €300,000 (2m 98y – 5yo+)
1 Banbridge (JPO’Brien)
2 Blood Destiny (FR) (WPMullins)
3 Captain Guinness (HdeBromhead)
4 Edwardstone (GB) (AKing)
5 El Fabiolo (FR) (WPMullins)
6 Energumene (FR) (WPMullins)
7 Fact To File (FR) (WPMullins)
8 Gaelic Warrior (GER) (WPMullins)
9 Il Etait Temps (FR) (WPMullins)
10 Jungle Boogie (HdeBromhead)
11 Marine Nationale (BConnell)
12 Senecia (VLHalley)
13 Solness (FR) (JPO’Brien)
TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH – ADDITIONAL GRADE 1 RACES
There are 21 entries for the KPMG CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE with the first of Willie Mullins’ ten Cheltenham winners, Kopek Des Bordes top of the pile.
The Supreme Novices’ winner brought joy to owner Charlie McCarthy and his family and while they would love to double up, they face significant challenges from within their own camp, and outside it.
Stablemate Salvator Mundi delivered on his promise at Aintree, while Henry de Bromhead’s Workahead is much better than he showed at Cheltenham, where he raced very freely.
Fergal O’Brien could saddle Tripoli Flyer, while one has to take note when Colm Murphy pitches one in at this level, as may be the case with Lovely Hurling.
The KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle
(Grade 1) €125,000 ( 2m 149y – 5yo+ )
1 Belloccio (FR) (WPMullins)
2 Ethical Diamond (WPMullins)
3 Fleetfoot (JSBolger)
4 Gaucher (GB) (WPMullins)
5 Irancy (FR) (WPMullins)
6 Kalix Delabarriere (FR) (WPMullins)
7 Karbau (FR) (WPMullins)
8 Karniquet (FR) (WPMullins)
9 Kopek Des Bordes (FR) (WPMullins)
10 Lovely Hurling (CAMurphy)
11 Runcok (FR) (WPMullins) (139)
12 Salvator Mundi (FR) (WPMullins)
13 Tripoli Flyer (FO’Brien(inGB))
14 Whinney Hill (GB) (GElliott)
15 Workahead (HdeBromhead)
16 Zoffman (NMeade)
The DOOLEYS INSURANCE GROUP CHAMPION NOVICE CHASE has attracted 17 entries. Lecky Watson heads the Mullins team of nine, after his brilliant victory in the Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham, with stablemate Ballyburn likely to be given a chance to prove his disappointment was an aberration. Champ Kiely, Dancing City and Ile Atlantique are other possible Mullins contestants.
The Ken Budds-trained Anyway chased home Caldwell Potter in the Grade 2 Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and that form was franked when the winner registered a very impressive Grade 1 triumph at Aintree. Anyway could be ready to go to another level, while the Gordon Elliott duo Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story, and Henry de Bromhead’s duo, Slade Steel and Gorgeous Tom are others of note.
British trainer, Polly Gundry has entered Don’t Rightly Know while the Bowe family might be tempted to run impressive beginners’ chase winner Linden Arden, trained by Philip Fenton.
Gavin Cromwell could saddle Bioluminescence, a Grade 2 mares’ novice chase winner who ran a blinder behind Dancing City in Naas before chasing home Spindleberry at Fairyhouse in February.
“Bioluminescence is very ground-dependent,” warns Cromwell, however. “She’s entered in the Irish Grand National as well. She’s in great form and we’d love to be running her but while the ground isn’t as important at the three-mile trip, she loves soft ground.
“They always do a good job at Punchestown and I know they are watering. As far as I can tell too, after every dry spell comes a wet spell, so we’re a long way away yet and you wouldn’t know what might happen with the weather and we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) €125,000 (3m 213y – 5yo+)
1 Anyway (GER) (DKBudds)
2 Ballyburn (WPMullins)
3 Better Days Ahead (GElliott)
4 Bioluminescence (GCromwell)
5 Champ Kiely (WPMullins)
6 Dancing City (FR) (WPMullins)
7 Don’t Rightly Know (GB) (PGundry)
8 Fun Fun Fun (WPMullins)
9 Gorgeous Tom (HdeBromhead)
10 High Class Hero (GB) (WPMullins)
11 Ile Atlantique (FR) (WPMullins)
12 Impaire Et Passe (FR) (WPMullins)
13 Lecky Watson (WPMullins)
14 Linden Arden (PFenton)
15 Quai De Bourbon (FR) (WPMullins)
16 Slade Steel (HdeBromhead)
17 Stellar Story (GElliott)
SBK IRISH EBF MARES’ CHAMPION HURDLE.
Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead are among the 10 entrants in the SBK IRISH EBF MARES’ CHAMPION HURDLE. The vaunted duo are also possible runners in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the start of the week but would add real A-list glamour to Saturday’s card were they to cross swords on the concluding day of the Punchestown Festival.
Lossiemouth’s stablemate Kargese illustrated her talent in the County Hurdle, while Henry de Bromhead’s pair, Lantry Lady and July Flower are very talented performers capable of making a bold bid.
SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) €125,000 (2m 4f 118y – 4yo+)
1 All The Glory (GB) (J&AJO’Neill)
2 Brighterdaysahead (FR) (GElliott)
3 Gala Marceau (FR) (WPMullins)
4 Jade De Grugy (FR) (WPMullins)
5 July Flower (FR) (HdeBromhead)
6 Kargese (FR) (WPMullins)
7 Lantry Lady (FR) (HdeBromhead)
8 Lossiemouth (FR) (WPMullins)
9 Lot Of Joy (WPMullins)
10 Wyenot (GB) (HDaly)
BALLYMORE CHAMPION FOUR-YEAR-OLD HURDLE
(Saturday, May 3rd – 19 entries)
Willie Mullins dominates the entries here, with a dozen possible participants, including Poniros, who won the Triumph Hurdle on his first public outing over obstacles at 100/1 under Jonjo O’Neill Jnr. Aintree victor, Murcia is also among the group.
Nicky Henderson has entered Lulamba, who was narrowly denied at Cheltenham, and Gavin Cromwell intends to run Hello Neighbour, a Grade 1 winner at the Dublin Racing Festival who ran with credit in Cheltenham before fading late on to be sixth, less than six lengths behind Poniros.
“He just didn’t work well enough for us in his last bit of work before Aintree, so that’s why he didn’t travel over there,” Cromwell explains. “He’s fine and has plenty of time to freshen up and presuming he comes good again, he’ll run.
“I suppose he had a hard race at Cheltenham and it was off the back of the Grade 2 win on his debut at Christmas and then the Dublin Racing Festival. We just said we’d give him a chance. It was a very quick turnaround this year from Cheltenham to Aintree and when you’re borderline on sending him, I’m glad we didn’t as that might have left a mark on him and we have Punchestown to look forward to now.”
Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) €125,000 (2m – 4yo)
1 Bacchanalian (GB) (DQueally)
2 Blue Lemons (WPMullins)
3 Charlus (WPMullins)
4 Ephesus (DGHogan)
5 Give It To Me Oj (GB) (G&JMoore)
6 Hello Neighbour (GCromwell)
7 Its Bilbo (FR) (HdeBromhead)
8 Larzac (FR) (WPMullins)
9 Legionnaire Forez (FR) (WPMullins)
10 Lulamba (FR) (NHenderson)
11 Lumiere Du Large (FR) (WPMullins)
12 Murcia (FR) (WPMullins)
13 Naturally Nimble (GER) (JPO’Brien)
14 Pappano (GB) (WPMullins)
15 Place De La Nation (FR) (WPMullins)
16 Poniros (GB) (WPMullins)
17 Sainte Lucie (FR) (WPMullins)
18 Sony Bill (FR) (WPMullins)
19 Too Bossy For Us (WPMullins)
SBK, the sportsbook powered by the Smarkets exchange, has upgraded its partnership with Punchestown Racecourse by becoming the Title Sponsor of SBK Festival Finale Day on Saturday 3rd May 2025.
Previously the betting partner for Festival Saturday in 2024, SBK is now the proud Title Sponsor of this exciting day at the 2025 Punchestown Festival. In addition to their title sponsorship, SBK has upgraded their race sponsorship, moving from the Handicap Chase to the GR1 SBK Irish EBF Champion Mares Hurdle. With past champions like Apple’s Jade, Annie Power, and most recently, Lossiemouth etching their names into history, the GR1 SBK Irish EBF Champion Mares Hurdle at the 2025 Punchestown Festival promises another thrilling contest among the finest mares in jumps racing.
“We’re excited to be expanding our involvement with Punchestown for the 2025 Festival, and we’re especially thrilled to be the Title Sponsor of Festival Finale Day,” said Adam Baylis, Director of Marketing at SBK. “Festival Saturday is always one of the busiest and most vibrant days of the Punchestown Festival, and we’re looking forward to playing a key role in what is not only a great sporting occasion but also a fantastic social event for friends, locals, and racing enthusiasts. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the end of the Festival.”
SBK’s Growing Partnership with Punchestown
Since their first involvement with Punchestown in the 2023/2024 jumps season, SBK has strengthened its partnership with the racecourse. This year, SBK has enhanced its role with the Title Sponsorship of Festival Saturday and their upgraded sponsorship of the GR1 SBK Irish EBF Champion Mares Hurdle, marking a significant milestone in their continued support of Irish racing.
Leona Hughes, Sponsorship at Punchestown, commented, “We are delighted to welcome SBK as the Title Sponsor for Festival Finale Day. Festival Saturday is one of the highest-attended days of the week, offering an electric atmosphere that combines top-class racing with a fantastic social occasion. It’s a day when locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the racing and festivities, and we’re thrilled to have SBK involved in such a prominent way.”
About the 2025 Punchestown Festival
The 2025 Punchestown Festival, taking place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May, promises to be the highlight of the Irish jumps racing season, attracting over 100,000 attendees across the five days. Festival Saturday on 3rd May is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, packed enclosures, and thrilling racing, making it a must-attend occasion for both racing fans and social groups alike. With a fantastic mix of top-tier racing, entertainment, and the chance to enjoy a great day out with friends, it’s the perfect grand finale to the Punchestown Festival.
Tickets for the 2025 Punchestown Festival are now available, starting at just €30. The first race on Festival Saturday is scheduled to begin at 2.30pm (subject to minor changes). For more information on tickets, hospitality, and event details, visit https://punchestown.com/festival-2025/
ENDS
About SBK
SBK is a sportsbook powered by the Smarkets exchange, offering a cutting-edge platform for sports betting. With a focus on industry leading odds, SBK provides users with a seamless and exciting experience for both major and niche sports markets. For more information, visit www.betsbk.com.
Media Release Tuesday 25th March 2025: Punchestown Racecourse is proud to announce the enhancement of its partnership with QuinnBet for the 2025 Punchestown Festival, where they are the Official Betting Partner on Boodles Champion Hurdle Day, Friday 2nd May 2025.
Having successfully sponsored the QuinnBet Grand National Trial for the past three years, QuinnBet is excited to build on this existing relationship by expanding its involvement at one of Ireland’s most prestigious racing events. As part of this enhanced partnership, QuinnBet will also sponsor the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase, one of the key races of Festival Friday.
This two and a half mile chase has been a happy hunting ground for the dual Champion trainer Willie Mullins with quality winners such as Kemboy who landed the race in 2018 before returning for that famous Punchestown Gold Cup victory the following year that saw history making jockey Ruby Walsh wave goodbye to the crowd and his race riding career as he crossed the line.
Niall McPartland, Head of Sponsorship & Commercial at QuinnBet, said: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Punchestown over the past few years, and we’re thrilled to continue building on this at the 2025 Punchestown Festival. As Official Betting Partner for Festival Friday, we’re excited to be involved in such a key part of the event, especially with our sponsorship of the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase. Our partnership with Punchestown has allowed us to connect with passionate racing fans, and we look forward to another thrilling day of racing.”
A Partnership That Grows Stronger Every Year
Since first partnering with Punchestown, QuinnBet has been dedicated to supporting Irish racing, bringing its expertise and passion for the sport to one of the premier festivals in the racing calendar. The partnership continues to flourish as both parties work closely to enhance the experience for fans, competitors, and the broader racing community.
“QuinnBet has been a valued partner of Punchestown for a number of years, and we’re excited to have them on board as Official Betting Partner for Festival Friday in 2025,” said Leona Hughes, Sponsorship at Punchestown. “Their commitment to our races and their ongoing support of Punchestown is invaluable, and we’re excited to continue growing our partnership. Festival Friday is set to be an exciting day of racing, and we’re delighted that QuinnBet will be part of that in such a significant way.”
About the 2025 Punchestown Festival
The 2025 Punchestown Festival, running from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May, promises to be an unforgettable celebration of world-class racing. Festival Friday, 2nd May 2025, is sure to be a highlight, with top-tier races and a fantastic atmosphere that attracts both Irish and international racing fans.
Tickets for the 2025 Punchestown Festival are now available, starting at just €30. The first race on Festival Friday is scheduled to begin at 3.40pm (subject to minor changes). For more information on tickets, hospitality, and event details, visit https://punchestown.com/festival-2025/
ENDS
About QuinnBet
Founded in 2017, QuinnBet has quickly become a leading name in the iGaming industry, 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
List Of Qualified Horses
Punchestown Announce The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series
€100,000 Prize Fund announced under new series partnership
Punchestown racecourse today made the exciting announcement that Albert Bartlett, the UK’s leading producer of potato products, will sponsor the newly branded Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series in a significant three-year deal that will see the series final prize fund grow to €100,000.
Further to today’s announcement the initiative will expand from ten to a total of twelve qualifying races divided between England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The first qualifier will take place on Saturday 23 rd November at Punchestown’s Premiere Weekend fixture and culminate on the opening day of the 2025 Punchestown Festival, Tuesday 29 th April, with the €100,000 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final.
Launched in October 2023, the initial concept for the series was to provide an opportunity for horses in the competitive two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle category, with ratings of up to 120, to compete for an impressive prize on a feature festival day. Born from the success of the inaugural running, Albert Bartlett have increased the number of qualifiers and boosted the final prize fund from €80,000 to €100,000.
Albert Bartlett Chairman Ronnie Bartlett outlined the key driver behind their support of the series: “We were really impressed with the first running of the concept in 2023. We hope partnering to create the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series will enhance the series further to encourage travel, cohesion and alignment throughout jump racing in the UK and Ireland with the exciting involvement of UK trained and owned horses competing at Punchestown. The series allows owners and trainers to visit new tracks, cross the Irish sea, meet with new peers, all built around enjoying flagship race days and competing for meaningful prize money. Ultimately we hope this will create more really entertaining days for race fans to enjoy and that’s what it is all about.”
Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill, said: “We are delighted to announce The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series and really look forward to optimising this exciting concept alongside the Albert Bartlett team who share in our vision and objectives for the initiative. Together we aim to create an inclusive prospect for horses at a particular level to compete for a significant prize pot on the big stage whilst providing an excellent opportunity to open up the sport even further by encouraging owners and trainers to travel and compete across what is a relatively small jurisdiction. To this end we couldn’t have hoped for a better result of the inaugural running when Herefordshire trainer Tom Lacey won the final with Tune In A Box owned by the Woolhope Hopeful Syndicate.”
Reflecting on their Punchestown Festival Experience, Rachel Tobey, member of 2024 series final winning owners Woolhope Hopefuls, said: “We had the most wonderful and memorable experience at Punchestown. The welcome was exceptional. A group of us travelled over expecting the visit to the highlight but as our name suggests we were hopeful that Tune in a box could deliver. To win was beyond our dreams! We think that what is now the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series initiative is absolutely brilliant. Without it we would probably have never had a runner at Punchestown and now we are fully focused on returning again!”
The 2024/2025 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifiers
1. 23rd November – Punchestown
2. 12th January – Punchestown
3. 23rd January – Huntingdon
4. 26th January – Naas
5. 28th January – Chepstow
6. 14th February – Kelso
7. 15th February – Gowran Park
8. 26th February – Wincanton
9. 7th March – Ayr
10. 17th March – Down Royal
11. 20th March – Cork
12. 28th March – Wetherby
** 29th April – Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final, Punchestown Festival**
Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Details
• The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series includes twelve qualifying races that will take place across Ireland and the UK with the €100,000 final taking place on the opening day of the 2025 Punchestown Festival, Tuesday 29th April.
• The qualifying races in the series will take place from November 2024 to March 2025.
• Each qualifier will be a hurdle race over a distance of between two miles two furlongs and two miles six furlongs, exclusively for horses rated 0-120. The series culminates with a 130 =11st 12lb final, allowing horses that improve their handicap marks throughout the season to still compete in the final.
• The first five home in each qualifier will be eligible to enter the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series final.
• Qualifier placings will take precedence over handicap ratings in the ballot process, ensuring the most competitive horses earn their chance to compete in the final.
• The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series final will be run over two miles four furlongs at the 2025 Punchestown Festival.
• The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series will be kindly hosted in association with geographically selected tracks across England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
• This series launches on day one of the Punchestown Premiere Weekend, 23rd November 2024 and culminates on the opening day of the 2025 Punchestown Festival, Tuesday 29th April.
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
2m5f Mares Maiden Hurdle
*Awaiting 2025 Provisional Summary*
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/
Final Prize fund boosted to €80,000
As the 2024 Punchestown Festival approaches the home of Irish jump racing today made the exciting announcement that www.Blood-Stock.com are to sponsor the newly introduced Full Circle Series Final on the opening day, Tuesday 30th April.
Furthermore, the deal brings with it a boost in prize money which sees the www.Blood-Stock.com Full Circle Series Final confirmed at an impressive €80,000. The objective behind the series was to introduce a race on the biggest stage for mid-level horses so that everyone can be part of the season grand finale at Punchestown. Since December 2023, five qualifiers were held across Ireland and a further five the length and breath of the UK in a bid to attract connections and reinvigorate the interest from across the water. The top six from each race are eligible to enter the two-and-a-half-mile hurdle final where qualifying position will be prioritised over rating for balloting.
The team at www.Blood-Stock.com have created a ground-breaking platform that ‘empowers enthusiasts to become fully engaged stakeholders in the sport by offering access to extensive equine data, interactive trading features and a lively community’.
Looking forward to the upcoming www.Blood-Stock.com Full Circle Series Final, Diarmuid O’Donovan, founder of Blood-Stock.com said: “BloodStock is delighted to partner with Punchestown on the inaugural Full Circle Series Final. This is our first foray into race partnership and we feel the spiritual home of Irish jumps racing is a great launching point for our business.
O’Donovan continued: “The series is a brilliant initiative. It is a perfect fit for our mutually aligned values of industry sustainability, patron engagement and international growth. We’d like to thank Janet Creighton and Leona Hughes from Punchestown for their assistance in ensuring the showcase of our brand at this iconic venue”.
Punchestown’s Janet Creighton welcomed BloodStock saying: “Diarmuid and the team at BloodStock have developed this product which will allow casual fans and seasoned racegoers an opportunity to be directly involved in the game. This is where technology and the bloodstock industry meet. It is an exciting insight into the future”.
The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. The www.Blood-Stock.com Full Circle Series Final takes place on Tuesday 30th April. Full ticket, hospitality and event information available at www.punchestown.com
**ENDS**
For further information please contact: hello@blood-stock.com