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.

List Of Qualified Horses

Date	Racecourse	Horse	Position	Owner	Trainer
23-Nov	Punchestown	Binge Worthy	1	Denis Gallagher Racing	Gordon Elliott
23-Nov	Punchestown	Billy Lee Swagger	2	Blind Squirrels Syndicate & William Esdaile	Philip Rothwell
23-Nov	Punchestown	Away To Milan	3	J J Leckey	Philip Rothwell
23-Nov	Punchestown	Gabriel Ranger	4	Tadhg O’Sullivan	Joseph P Murphy
23-Nov	Punchestown	Stay Gold	5	Paul McKeon	Colm Murphy
12-Jan	Punchestown	Londonofficecallin	1	In Bounds Syndicate	Gavin Cromwell
12-Jan	Punchestown	Sammy Smart	2	Haigney Bloodstock Ltd	Thomas Gibney
12-Jan	Punchestown	Bright Legend	3	J Carthy & Patrick John O’Brien	Denis Hogan
12-Jan	Punchestown	Ask Anything	4	Macatwi Partnership	Gavin Cromwell
12-Jan	Punchestown	Mercury Mission	5	IRE Asset Holding Limited	Philip Rothwell

THE PUNCHESTOWN PREMIERE WEEKEND INFO PAGE

When – Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November

Feature Races

Saturday – Gr1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, Gr2 Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase and Conway Piling Beginners Chase.
Sunday – Gr1 John Durkan Chase, Gr2 BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase, Frontline Security Grabel Mares Listed Hurdle & Rick Of Thunder Cross Country

Times

First race 11.30am.
Last race around 3.30.
Gates at 10am.
Last orders one hour after the last. (Times may vary slightly)

Tickets – BOOK HERE

Best deal in sport – €25 all-weekend ticket. Ends 17th November
Advance (until 9pm the day before) – €15
On The Day – €20
Seniors & Students – €15 on the day only
Family – €25 2 x adults with kids on the day only
Children 14 years and under race for free.

Our Famous Race & Dine from €65pp – VIEW HERE

Enhance your race day with family and friends from only €65pp up to €115pp. Options range from private suites with tailored menus to our flagship Corinthian and Watch House restaurants offering some of the most highly reviewed food in racing enjoyed with the best views in sport.

Transport

FREE bus service from Naas (Poplar Square & Post Office) from 10am returning as per demand after racing. Keep an eye on social media for updates.
Dublin city centre to Punchestown direct service – INFO & BOOKINGS
Free parking and plenty of it!

Family Friendly Venue with Free Kids Stuff!

All children under 14 race for free. Santa Truck here on Saturday. Santa Train on Sunday. Hay Cafe and The Feedroom Cafe offering full menu of snacks, carvery, salads, barista coffee and of course child sized portions.

All families in attendance can enter to Win a Trip to Lapland.

Music, shops, snacks and strolls.

Aside from top class grade one racing there will be live music from Evolution (Saturday) and The Sandmen (Sunday) available to all and located in the grandstand.

A festive shopping pavilion will welcome visitors at the turnstiles and as always there will be something for all ages throughout the enclosures.

Pick up a barista coffee and warm pastries or chips and a pint and enjoy a stroll around one of Ireland’s favorite venues in the foothills of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.

What To Wear:

It’s Ireland….in November….so wrap up to enjoy the best of the day. If you are attending one of our restaurant or suite venues we suggest at least smart casual to fully suited and booted. There are plenty of comfortable cosy indoor venues with great access to the parade ring and viewing stands.

Can We Assist ?

The best way to keep up to date is to follow our social media channels. Please feel free to contact our team for further assistance on 00 353 (0)45 897704 or contact info@punchestown.com

Plenty to look forward to for all families this weekend at Punchestown on 23 and 24 November:

Both Days – Win a Family Adventure to Lapland – Full Details Below
Saturday – Famous Santa Truck from 1.30pm to 4pm
Sunday – The Lapland Train with Santa from 12 onwards until 3.00
Both days – The Playroom is open for games and activities
Both Days – Face Painting in The Playroom
Times – Gates open at 10am both days. The first race is at 11.30am both days. You are more than welcome to pop-in, enjoy the family fun, watch a few races etc. you do not have to stay for the entire day but the children’s activities will finish up around 3pm – 3.30pm (last race)
Food & Facilities – The Feedroom Cafe is a self-service style option with full carvery, soup, sandwiches, barista coffee, pastries and snacks. The Lily & Wild catering team are happy to offer children’s portions. Hay Cafe and various mobile food units will also be available.
Tickets – All children under 14 years race for free at every Punchestown race day. Family ticket available on the day for €25 for two adults and children under 14.
Parking – Plenty of free parking for all.
Many local primary schools will have received an allocation of complimentary tickets (see the list below)

The chance for one lucky family to win an adventure to Lapland this December.

THE PRIZE – FULL DETAILS

This one-day Lapland adventure will be on Saturday 7 December travelling from Dublin airport. The highlight of this memorable experience will be meeting Santa in his log cabin after visiting Kittila’s Snow Village where little ones can zoom on the snow slide, learn how to drive a miniature skidoo, enjoy a short husky-led sleigh ride and visit get involved in arty activities and warm up over lunch in the cafe.

Read about the full trip HERE.

HOW TO WIN?

BE THERE – To enter you must attend one of the Premiere Weekend Days at Punchestown Racecourse on Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th November.
ADMISSION – Family ticket includes 2 adults with kids – €25 on the day with free access to The Playroom and entertainment. A selected number of local primary schools will receive a limited number of complimentary family tickets.
COLLECT GOLDEN TICKET ON ARRIVAL – Enter the racecourse via the family turnstile to receive your Golden Ticket.
POST YOUR TICKET – Complete & post your Golden Ticket entry at the Lapland Letterbox.
Winner to be announced before the second last race on Sunday 24 November
Please note that selected local primary schools that are part of the Punchestown community network will receive complimentary tickets. Listed below and final for this season. No additions at this stage.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

By entering the competition, you will be deemed to have read and agreed to the terms and conditions of the Competition.
Prize must be booked directly with Midland Travel with names as soon as the competition is complete. Holiday must be confirmed by Monday 25th November 2024.
Prize is non – refundable, non-transferable, and non-endorsable. It holds no cash value.
Any requested upgrades or changes to the stated holiday prize will be at the winner’s own expense.
Flight tickets are not valid for any other destination.
Prize must not be sold or auctioned.
It is the prize winner’s responsibility to ensure all passport & visa (if required) are valid for travel.
Initial names given as prize-winners cannot be changed; names must be furnished as per passport. Any additional changes or charges as a result of name changes after the prize has been booked will be the sole responsibility of the prize winner.
This prize is won as is and cannot be altered or changed. The dates are non-transferable.
If for any reason the first drawn winner cannot travel or accept the prize another ticket will be drawn and so on until a winner is established.
The results are final and at the discretion of Punchestown management.
Once the prize is official allocated to a winner Punchestown will have no further involvement and the arrangement will be directly between the winner and www.midlandtravel.ie

Schools in the Punchestown Community Programme 2024/2025

An Linbh Iosa, Ballycane
Ballyshannon National School
Caragh National School
Halverstown NS- St Josephs NS
Hollywood NS
Kill National School/ Scoil Bhride
Killashee Multi Denominational National School
Lacken
Rathmore National School
Scoil Mhuire National School, Ballymore
Scoil Bhride National School, Kilcullen
Scoil Brid, Oldtown Naas
Scoil Chorbain
St Marys J.N.S, Blessington
St Marys SNS, Blessington
Marks Newbridge
Naas Community National School
Ursaille Naofa, Twomilehouse
Valleymount

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
2m4f 5yo+ Mares Maiden Hurdle

*19 February*
2m 148 yds 5yo+ Maiden Hurdle
2m5f Mares Maiden Hurdle

*Awaiting 2025 Provisional Summary*

HORSE RACING ODDS

Media Release – Friday 13^th 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 17^th September with an all flat card ahead of the return of jump racing on 15^th and 16^th 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

Global Major Appliance Brand Haier Join Punchestown Festival Sponsor Line Up

Media Release Monday 22^nd April 2024: Punchestown Racecourse are delighted to welcome global market leading appliance specialists Haier to the 2024 festival sponsor line up. The sporting and social highlight event takes place from Tuesday 30^th April to Saturday 4^th May.

The €15,000 Haier Flat Race will be the concluding contest on the opening day, Tuesday 30^th April, of the 2024 Punchestown Festival. Thus providing a fitting finale to a flagship event in the Haier calendar as they commence their day with a conference followed by a special hospitality event at the racecourse.

Established in 1984, Haier has over thirty years of experience and is dedicated to design of high-quality reliable appliances for a discerning customer base. Euromonitor International has appointed Haier as the worlds number one global major appliance brand for the 15^th consecutive year*. Operating across 200 markets, with 138 factories and ten research and development centres Haier employs upwards of 100,000 people.

Liz Addinall, Haier Trade Marketing Manager for Haier Smart Home in Ireland looked ahead to the Haier Punchestown activation saying, “Haier is delighted to be involved with the prestigious Punchestown Racing Festival as a sponsor this year. We are excited to be showcasing our brand and products to our Irish audience. Haier’s stylish products go across all categories from cooling to cooking and laundry. They offer the highest level of energy efficiency and a solution that tailors to our customers needs.

“We look forward to building on our relationships with retailers and furthering the visibility of the brand in Ireland with this sponsorship.”

Welcoming Haier to the Punchestown Festival line up Punchestown Sponsorship Manager Leona Hughes said, “The Haier principles of customer service, high quality and reliability align perfectly with the Punchestown model and so it is a pleasure to welcome the Haier team to the 2024 Festival. As Ireland’s largest sporting corporate hospitality event we take pride in treating our clients guests like our own. People Make Punchestown and we look forward to welcoming Haier as a new sponsor and client in a few weeks time”.

The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30^th April to Saturday 4^th May. With over €3.4 million in prize money across forty contests including 12 grade one races, the Punchestown Festival is Ireland most prestigious jump racing festival. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend across the five days. For full event information and ticket options please visit www.punchestown.com

ENDS

For more information on Haier in Ireland visit Haier.ie

*************

(*Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Consumer Appliances 2024, % share of units, 2023 volume sales data)

HAIER

Established in 1984, Haier Group is a world-leading provider of solutions to a better life. Focusing on user experience, Haier has been included on the list of BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands for two consecutive years as the world’s first and only IoT ecosystem brand. Haier has topped Global Major Appliances.

Brand Rankings by Euromonitor International for 15 consecutive years. Its subsidiary Haier Smart Home is among the list of Global 500 of Fortune. Haier Group is committed to working with its world-class ecosystem partners to continuously build premium brand, scenario brand and ecosystem brand, and to set up IoT ecosystems in clothing, food, accommodation, travel, health, elderly care, biomedicine and education, and to tailor personalised smart life for users around the globe.

www.haier.co.uk

Media Contacts:
Leanne Wellings Tel: 0203 8703976 Email: leanne@agent42.co.uk

Sandra Coffey Tel: 0203 8703976 Email: sandra@agent42.co.uk

Meet Your Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council

Lead Judge – Jess Colivet @jesscolivet

Personal stylist and content creator Jess Colivet, is based in Kildare, Ireland, and her Instagram feed is full of great fashion inspiration. After completing a postgraduate degree at Trinity and a trend forecasting course at the London College of Style, Jess started her Instagram journey in 2020 and has been charting her style ever since.

This is Jess’s 3rd year leading the Style Council at the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition at Punchestown Festival. Personal style should be an extension of your personality and the version of yourself that you want to share with the world. To me, there is nothing more stylish than someone wearing their clothes with confidence. Don’t let age define your style.

Jessica O’Mahony @jeskaomahony

Jessica is our newest addition to the Style Council for Bollinger Best Dressed 2024. As a busy mum of three, Jessica has amassed a following of over 95,000 Instagram (@jeskaomahony) followers thanks to her enviable sense of style from formal occasion wear to casual match day outfits and everything in between. Whilst more familiar pitch side than track side, as Jessica’s husband is Peter O’Mahony, captain of the victorious Six Nations Irish rugby team, the Cork woman is looking forward to embracing this new experience. Whilst I’m as comfortable in casual wear I do love an excuse to pull out all the stops and a big day out at the races with friends is just that, not to mention the amazing prize from Bollinger.”

Eve Gottesman & Michelle O’Sullivan @Champagne_Bollinger

Bollinger is a timeless classic. A world renowned brand built on heritage and craft. It is the taste and soul of Champagne. Much of Bollinger’s success today is traced back to ‘Lily’who married into the family and took over the reins in 1914. In a continuation of female influence at Bollinger, today Michelle and Eva will represent at the Punchestown Festival. They will be looking for essence of Bollinger in the winner – elegance and style.

Suzie O Neill @suzie.ayu

Kildare resident and award-winning entrepreneur Suzie O’Neill is the owner and CEO of Ayu Cosmetics and Koolfit Apparel. Suzie’s ethos has always been about engagement with the customer and using feedback to inspire and develop new products. This will be Suzie’s second year on The Style Council at Punchestown.
Suzie’s business journey started with a range of affordable, premium quality brushes back in 2015 and since then AYU has expanded to include a full suite of cosmetics with many new and innovative products in the pipeline. A champion of women in business Suzie has a team of over 35 talented women and men across her brands.
When not running her successful business this busy Mum is running marathons with Clane Athletics Club.

Roxanne Parker @roxanne_parker

Roxanne Parker began her journalism career 20 years ago and has been working as a fashion stylist for more than 20 years. Roxanne’s styling skills are highly sought after for magazine and print media editorials and designer brand look books as well as curating television broadcast wardrobes. Roxanne writes a monthly sustainability column “A Better Way” for Social & Personal magazine and has dressed celebrities in sustainable looks for the red carpet. Roxanne has launched a Sustainable Fashion Podcast My Soul Style.

Roxanne champions sustainable and slow fashion and supports designers and brands creating pieces with a planet conscious mission while encouraging people to dress as their authentic selves and not be a slave to trends. A Roxanne style top tip would be to source a great tailor and alterations service which can transform existing items or elevate great second hand finds.

Lawson Mpame @lawsofstyle

Lawson Mpame is a Creative Director and menswear stylist who has been working in the fashion industry for seven years. His passion for fashion and storytelling through visual mediums has led to collaborations and projects with some of the biggest fashion brands in the world. Styling their latest collections and creating high end content allows Lawson to showcase both his style and creativity. The three pillars of his brand are class, creativity and confidence. 2024 will be Lawson’s second year on The Style Council and his very first visit to the Punchestown Festival.

David O Connor @styledoc

Louis Copeland Group GM/Creative Director/ Made-To-Measure specialist.
Aptly named known as ‘The Style Doctor’ David has been working with the Louis Copeland group for over twenty years where he has styled some of the sharpest dressed, well known gentlemen including actors Patrick Dempsey and John C Reilly, celebrity chef Donal Skeahan, Tv Presenter and Olympian Greg O’Shea and globally renowned Mentalist Keith Barry.
This will be David’s Punchestown debut and as a passionate flag bearer of gentlemen’s style he will be looking for impeccable grooming, excellent tailoring fit and perhaps a different take on the traditional occasion suit.

Keen to champion gentlemen’s style and optimize the opportunity for the title to go the way of the men for the first time, David will be looking for perfect fit through great tailoring as well as attention to detail on presentation.

“Have the conversation – say YES to Organ Donation”
Punchestown Charity Race – Saturday 4th May 2024

Kidney Transplant recipient Sara Jane Tracy to ride at the Punchestown Festival to highlight the success of Organ Donation and Transplantation
The 33rd running of the annual Punchestown Charity Race will take place on Saturday 4th May at the Punchestown Festival. To date this race has raised over €1.8 million for various kidney related projects for the Kildare based, registered Irish Charity, The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund.

This year will be a very special year as amongst the 25 jockeys taking part will be Sara Jane Tracy who is a kidney transplant recipient from Kill, Co. Kildare.
Sara Jane explains “In a life-altering moment in November 2021, my godfather Alex Tracy gifted me a second chance at life by donating his kidney. This selfless act, supported by his family and the exceptional medical teams at Beaumont and St. Vincent’s hospitals, marked the end of a challenging five-year wait on the transplant list and catapulted me from severe illness to robust health. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I am now committed to giving back to those who face similar challenges.”

Sara Jane is keen to raise as much Organ Donor awareness in Ireland by participating in the “Kidney” race at the Festival. Sara Jane will have her cousin, Jack Tracy flying in from Germany to take part alongside her.
• Maurice McCarthy & Patrick Chesters will be representing England and Niall McCarthy representing Co. Down.
• Elite marathoner runner and popular jockey’s agent Garry Cribbin is participating and will be critiqued closely by Rachel Blackmore, Mark Walsh, Darragh O’ Keefe and Sean Flanagan
• Wicklow’s Grace O’ Rourke won the RTE Ultimate Hell Week competition in 2019 and agrees this is just as big a challenge.
• Athy based horse trainer Adrian Sexton hopes his previous appearance on Ireland’s Fittest Family will have him ready for the big occasion. While Kildare locals Anna Cropper, Paddy Hayes and Eimear Smullen are sure to have huge local support.• Joan Tyner will be flying the Goff’s flag and Tim Doyle’s daughter Cora will be making her second appearance in the race.
• Punchestown debutants include Kilkenny hurler Dan Blanchfield, David Morgan, Nina Dibrita , Conor Hawkins and Joanna Thornton
• The dark horse might be the very stylish jockey Glen Norris who has previous racecourse experience as have Grace Dorgan, Paddy Leigh, Michelle O Brien, Peter Rathigan, Gary Harkin and Jamie Kavanagh.

Along with Sara Jane all the riders will have lots of local support as the race is the curtain closer to the week’s racing and is always a highlight for the 30,000 people in attendance on the big day.

In 2024 there were 74 applicants for the 25 places and all the 25 amateur jockeys have completed a fitness assessment at the jockey’s apprentice school R.A.C.E. in Co. Kildare. Also, they have all had to pass a medical in order to participate. On top of that before taking part all 25 jockeys have to raise a minimum of €1,500 for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, which is a Kildare based, registered Irish Charity.

€1.8 million has been raised to date and during the past 5 years the PKRF managed to support the following projects:
• We supported the building of a brand new Renal Ward at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin.
• We sponsored and helped the IKA establish a Peer Support program for all Kidney patients in Ireland. This program offers vital supports to patients and their families who are dealing with all the various issues and concerns that is all part of being a Dialysis or Transplant patient.
• We established the James Tracy/PKRF/Kidney Beam Exercise program for all Dialysis & Transplant patients, which will enable all patients to access free, online, live and on demand exercise classes, specifically tailored to all different levels of fitness and specifically for Kidney patients.
• We continued our research into Polycystic Kidney Disease in partnership with the Irish Nephrology Society under the guidance of the Irish Research Council.
• We continued our support for our “State Man” Art Therapy programs for Dialysis Patients in Tallaght & Waterford hospitals – and expanded this to Wexford in 2024.
• We continued to support Sports Programs for Dialysis & Transplant Patients.

For more information please contact James Nolan at 086/2349919.

The K Club Announced as Leading Trainer and Rider Sponsor for the Punchestown Festival.
Introducing the New Leading Owner Award.

MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 18th April: With just over a week to go to the 2024 Punchestown Festival, the home of Irish jump racing today announced that The K Club are to become the new sponsors of the Leading Trainer and Rider award at the Irish racing showcase. In addition, Punchestown, in association with The K Club, will introduce a new Leading Owner Award as part of the enhanced owner experience at the festival.

The K Club Awards will run across the duration of the five-day event with points allocated for wins and placings. On the afternoon of the final day, Saturday 4th May, The K Club will present the leading trainer and the leading rider with a €1,500 K Club voucher each. The Leading Owner will receive a voucher for an overnight stay with dinner in the renowned Barton Restaurant and a round of golf or spa treatment per person.

The K Club is located in Straffan, Co. Kildare and is a convenient twenty-minute transfer to Punchestown. Billed as a place ‘for people who love the good things in life’ the famous Kildare hotel, spa and golf resort is an ideal base for racing fans.

John Costelloe, Director of Sales and Marketing at The K Club looked ahead to this year’s activation at Punchestown: “The K Club has a rich history and association with the horse racing fraternity, and we look forward to welcoming both returning and new guests for the upcoming Punchestown Festival. Located in the heart of Thoroughbred Country it makes sense to be involved at the home of jumps as well as our existing association with the Curragh – home of the classics”.

Welcoming the hotel back to the Festival sponsor portfolio Punchestown’s Janet Creighton said: “It’s wonderful to see The K Club back at Punchestown having been sponsors here for so many years. The leading owner, trainer and rider award is a great activation as it runs for the duration of the five days. The wonderful addition of the Leading Owner award is in recognition of the invaluable support by owners in Irish racing. We are always happy to refer guests and visitors to our accommodation partners as we know it will be an extension of the customer experience that they receive here on track”.

The 2024 Punchestown Festival runs from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. The K Club Leading Trainer, Owner and Rider Award will be presented on Saturday 4th May. For full event details and ticket options please visit www.Punchestown.com