Punchestown Festival Fully Sponsored with Record Prize Fund
Media Release, Thursday 9th April 2026: Punchestown Racecourse today announced a major new agreement as the Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle completes the sponsorship line-up at the highly anticipated Festival in just three weeks time.
Taking place on Tuesday 28th April, the €125,000 Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle will raise the grade one curtain at the festival that famously boasts 12 of the top drawer contests across a 40 race programme with a record €3.6 million prize fund. The PRL Champion Novice Hurdle has an all-star roll of honour with Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Moscow Flyer featuring.
This will be a race day sponsorship debut for PRL who deliver a full 360 degree outsourced service specialising in logistics management, freight, sales and marketing. Based in Rathcoole, this family owned business has been operating for over 90 years.
Executive Chairman at PRL, Michael Brannigan said “We are delighted to play our part in this well-loved festival. The sponsorship fosters community spirit and highlights PRL’s active engagement in the local area”.
Conor O’Neill, Punchestown CEO welcomed PRL saying: “We are so pleased to welcome PRL to the Punchestown Festival for a number of reasons. A local, long established, family-owned company stepping up as grade one sponsor is exactly the community ethos we share. Furthermore, to complete the sponsorship folio with an major announcement like this is a super endorsement for festival as a commercial event. We very much look forward to welcoming Michael Brannigan, his guests and team to Punchestown”.
The 2026 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May. An award winning social and sporting highlight that attracts 120,000 attendees, the festival is one of Ireland’s largest corporate events with over 19,500 hospitality guests representing over 900 companies from both Ireland and the UK. The diverse demographic of urban, rural, sporting, social, and business all gathering to celebrate and enjoy the famous atmosphere has earned Punchestown a ‘not-to-be-missed’ reputation.
Editor Notes:
PRL is an Irish & UK company specialising in logistics management, freight, sales and marketing. PRL stands for partnership, reliability and leadership and we believe in embodying these values amongst customers, colleagues and the local community.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emer Woodfull, PRL – emer.woodfull@prl.ie
Shona Dreaper, Punchestown Racecourse – sdreaper@punchestown.com
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
**ENDS**