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Harry Derham: To have horses going to the Punchestown Festival this early in my career is still a bit of a pinch-yourself moment

 

For many years, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson led the British assault on the vast prize money on offer at the Punchestown Festival but while the venerable duo remain at the peak of their powers, the succession race is on and there is a new gang in ‘Town.

Anthony Honeyball has an amazing strike rate at Ireland’s traditional end-of-season jamboree and will be bidding extend his winning sequence to a fourth consecutive festival next week.

The Full Circle Series, designed to provide more opportunities for horses rated 130 or less, has attracted the attention of a number of Honeyball’s compatriots as a result of half of the ten qualifiers being held on the other side of the Irish Sea.

The €80,000 final takes place on Tuesday’s opening leg of the five-day carnival of jumps racing, and among the British conditioners represented are Honeyball, Ben Pauling, Tom Lacey, Venetia Williams and Charlie Longsdon.

Harry Derham does not have a horse among the 34 still standing in the final, but he plans to mark the end of his first full season as a trainer by bringing former Derby fancy, Brentford Hope and three other horses to Kildare to bag a slice of the riches on offer.

The last time Derham was in Punchestown, he was in select company, with the world ground to a halt by Covid.

As assistant trainer to his uncle, the aforementioned Nicholls, he was oversaw the preparations of two-time King George VI Chase victor, Clan Des Obeaux for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup in 2021. Given a peach of a ride by Sam Twiston-Davies, Clan held off the valiant challenge of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo.

They proved it could be done then, as Honeyball has more recently and Sophie Leech also did 23 months ago.

Derham may be just 29 and in the nascent stages of his new career, having saddled his first runner as a trainer at the end of 2022 after 11 years in Ditcheat, but he doesn’t like to place limits on himself.

A Cheltenham Festival winner as a jockey, who gave up riding young, the neophyte is clearly ambitious and talented but also pragmatic. He knows he is entering the lion’s den but given what Mullins, in particular, has managed everywhere from Nakayama to Auteuil, from Nashville to Melbourne and from Royal Ascot to Riyadh and that he will be crowned British champion jumps’ trainer tomorrow at Sandown, there doesn’t seem any point in running and hiding.

Go out and grab a slice of the pie for yourself is the Derham approach as he embarks on the succession trail, doing what his erstwhile boss did before him. With a strike rate of 25% since saddling his first runner towards the end of 2022, the neophyte is making his presence felt and it would be the cherry on top to come away from Punchestown with a winner.

“The first time I was in Punchestown (in 2014), I rode in the boys’ race (the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final) for John Kiely,” Derham remembers. “Gave the horse (On The Way Out) a terrible ride. Then I rode for Paul and Graham Wylie, a horse called Grandioso in a handicap chase and he ran well.

“Then I came back and represented Paul when Clan Des Obeaux won the Punchestown Gold Cup behind closed doors. It was a very odd experience because obviously you win an enormous race like that in front of about seven people!

“The two occasions I’ve been there, I’ve been blown away by the track. It’s an absolutely amazing racecourse. To have runners there next week is really cool.”

Recalling that surreal experience of three years ago, the Boxford-based handler continues: “That was a day I genuinely will never forget… You never take being part of a prestigious race like the Punchestown Gold Cup for granted.

“To me that was my favourite performance of Clan’s that day, He was really brave. It was a great performance. It was just a shame that nobody was there! I remember giving Sam a hug after and then realising, ‘Oh, you can’t do that!’

“I was struck by how well we were looked after and there was no expectation for that given Covid, so I’m looking forward to heading over there in normal times.”

Derham has nothing but respect for the record-breaking feats of Mullins and hails the Closutton supremo as a hugely positive influence on horse racing. But he will not run away if he spots an opportunity, regardless of venue or jurisdiction.

“Anthony Honeyball is a great example. He’s done fantastically well at Punchestown. It shows it can be done. Paul always said to me, ‘Wherever you’re going, whether it be Wincanton, Punchestown or Newbury, you have to have the right horses.’ If you get to the right races with the right horses then you have a chance.

“I have nothing but admiration for Willie and what he’s built. I’ve heard myself correcting a lot of people recently saying, ‘Oh it’s all right for him, he gets the best horses.’ He didn’t always get the best horses. He didn’t start with 250 horses. He’s got them because he’s the best. He’s the bar that everybody else has to get to and I don’t begrudge him anything. I think it’s phenomenal what he’s doing.

“I think he’s good for the sport and it’s something to be celebrated. I’m not going to say I’d love to get to his level as it would be a mad thing to say, but he is, without question, the person all of us jump people have to beat if we want to get to the top.”

He is fully aware how difficult it will be to saddle a winner next week but is hopeful of four good runs that will yield some nice prize money.

Brentford Hope has won five times over hurdles for The Optimists Syndicate since being bought from stout Punchestown supporters and sponsors, Seán and Bernardine Mulryan out of the Richard Hughes yard. The seven-year-old son of Camelot’s rating has increased from 114, when he won his maiden at Wincanton 13 months ago, to its current mark of 145.

Tuesday’s Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle is the target now.

“He has been a real flagbearer for the yard. We didn’t feel Cheltenham was his track. We’ve tried to keep him to slightly more level tracks. I know Punchestown is a little bit undulating but it’s a lot more gradual than it would be at Cheltenham. A horse like him deserves to go to a festival now.

“Sir Psycho, who’s running in the Listed EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase on the Friday has done well for me all season. He’s run good races and it’s his last chance to run in a novice chase. It’s worth €100,000 as well. What a fantastic chance for him to run in a race like that.

“On Thursday, Molly’s Mango will run in the Listed Close Brothers Mares’ Novice Hurdle which is a nice race for mares that haven’t won graded races, which takes out a couple of the top ones like Jade De Grugy and (her former Gordon Elliott stablemate) Brighterdaysahead. Molly ran well at Cheltenham. She’s a lovely mare who’s going to go novice chasing in the autumn and there’s a lovely programme for mares’ novice chases in England but I think she will run a nice race.

“Queensbury Boy is a winner of a bumper over here. We were going to go for a valuable bumper just after Cheltenham but he wasn’t just quite right. He’s a really, really nice horse and will be a smart novice hurdler next season but he is going to take his chance in the JP & M Doyle Bumper on Thursday.”

All his owners apart from one are making the trip and the excitement is growing.

“For me, Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown are the three monster meetings of the jumps racing calendar.

“I want to win and I’m bloody competitive but to have horses going to the Punchestown Festival this early in my career is still a bit of a pinch-yourself moment. I’m certainly not taking for granted how cool it is after 18 months as a trainer to be taking four to a meeting of that magnitude.”

 

Introducing The Fruit Shoot Family & Schools Activation

Punchestown Racecourse today welcomed Britvic Ireland as official soft drinks pouring partner in a three-year deal that will commence at the upcoming Punchestown Festival running from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May 2024.

The deal provides exclusivity across all catering partners and retail outlets throughout the Punchestown enclosures for the Britvic range that includes Pepsi, 7Up, Ballygowan and the premium mixer range London Essence Co.

Britvic is an international business that, like Punchestown, is rich in history and heritage. Britvic is a global organisation with 39 much-loved brands sold in over 100 countries.

In addition to the pouring rights element, Britvic have also come onboard to support the Family Day Schools and Activation programme under the Fruit Shoot brand. In keeping with tradition, over twenty local primary schools partake in a festival themed art competition with entries displayed at the Festival Family Day, Saturday 4th May. This year the students were tasked with creating a model racecourse using sustainable and recycled products. There will also be a Fruit Shoot zone in the family area at the Festival on Saturday, where families can engage with the brand and sample some product.

Caroline Hyde, Marketing Manager at Britvic said: “We are delighted to be partnering with a flagship venue like Punchestown Racecourse. The Punchestown Festival is not only one of Ireland’s premium sporting and social events but it’s also Ireland’s largest corporate hospitality occasion. Hyde continued: “The schools activation is a perfect fit for the Fruit Shoot brand. At Fruit Shoot we champion kids and everything they love and with our great tasting on the go drinks kids they’re free to get on with being themselves’’

The 2024 Punchestown Festival returns from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May 2024. The sporting and social highlight will attract crowds of up to 100,000 across the five days. The unique blend of top-class sport, vibrant enclosures, style, food and lie entertainment has earned the event a ‘must do status’.

For further information please visit: www. Punchestown.com

 

New equine centre to be named in memory of Jack de Bromhead at the ChildVision campus in Drumcondra

€1,000,000 funding already secured through donations

Original Honeysuckle silks to be auctioned at next week’s Punchestown Festival

 

Today ChildVision, the specialist therapy and education centre for children with visual impairment, announced that a much-needed new indoor equine therapeutic centre, named in memory of Jack de Bromhead, will be built this year as a result of generous donations from a group of family and friends of the de Bromhead family.

The new indoor facility at the ChildVision campus will give children who are blind, multi-disabled and neurodiverse access to the best global equine activities in a supportive and purpose designed environment and will allow the ChildVision equine team and volunteers to extend their services to reach more children over more hours making a life-changing difference, especially through the winter months and in bad weather conditions.

Spearheaded by de Bromhead family friend and well-known racehorse owner Chris Jones, and with the blessing of Jack’s parents Heather and Henry, the €1,000,000 donation target required to complete the equine therapeutic centre, was reached last December.

To continue to donate towards the running costs of ChildVision’s equine programme, Kenny Alexander, owner of equine superstar Honeysuckle, which was trained by Henry, has donated the racing colours that Rachael Blackmore wore in all of their major races including four Cheltenham Festival victories and nine Irish Grade 1 winners. The iconic silks, signed by Rachael, Henry and Kenny, will be auctioned at the Goffs sale at the Punchestown Festival on Thursday, May 2.

The de Bromhead family – Henry, Heather and their daughters Mia and Georgia, said of today’s announcement: “The equine centre will be a wonderful legacy for our beloved Jack, a hugely missed son and brother. Horses are a huge part of our lives, and we know the physical experience of riding a horse offers so many potential benefits, especially helping address a host of physical, social and emotional issues. More so, it will be a place of learning and hope, full of laughter and joy, traits that were such a part of Jack, all facilitated by the much-treasured horses and ponies that call the ChildVision stables home. We are looking forward to following the development and construction of the new equine therapeutic centre and being there to cut the ribbon when it is completed. We are forever grateful to those who came on board to support us – we know Jack would be really proud of what this life-changing generosity will enable.”

Speaking about how the idea came about, Chris Jones, said: “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit ChildVision last summer and to see first-hand the therapeutic impact that equine can have on children with complex needs. I knew that Henry and Heather already had a connection to ChildVision and knowing that many friends and family members wanted to find some way to mark Jack’s love of horses in a tangible way, the Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre concept came to fruition. The response to my call for donations was unbelievably kind and generous. It’s a testament to the high regard the de Bromheads are held in, that we are in a position to make the equine centre at ChildVision in Jack’s name, a reality.”

Barry Sheridan, ChildVision CEO, commented: “We have an ambitious plan for the ChildVision campus and front and centre was trying to secure funding for an equine therapeutic centre. We had already raised over €500,000 but without this extraordinary fundraising support we would not have been in a position to break ground in 2024 on this vital facility. We would like to thank the de Bromhead family, Chris Jones and the other wonderful benefactors for enabling our dream to come true. We will ensure that Jack’s legacy and that of his loving family, who so generously agreed to share his name with us, will live on for generations to come.”

Speaking about the Honeysuckle colours to be auctioned at the Punchestown Festival, Rachael Blackmore, said: “Honeysuckle gave me some of the best days of my career – her colours hold a lot of very special memories. Zoe, Henry’s travelling head girl, always kept this one special set aside just for Honeysuckle and I wore them in all of Honeysuckle’s big days at Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown. They are going to be auctioned at the Goffs sale on day three of the Punchestown Festival, Thursday May 2 and all money raised will be donated to the operating costs of the new Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre. The donation will make a lasting difference to those children and their families who will benefit so much from the amazing work that they do at ChildVision, where hopefully many more great memories will be made.”

Garvan Hanley of Hanley Taite Design Partnership based in Virginia, County Cavan has been commissioned by ChildVision to design the new centre on the campus. The new equine centre is a contemporary, tensile fabric curved roofed building with timber and brick clad walls providing an enclosed sand arena, stables for up to 10 horses and ponies, changing facilities, offices, a viewing area/learning space and all ancillary accommodation. The building extends to 1375 sq.m. and will provide services in all weathers and on dark evenings in an environment that will offer comfort and safety to its users.

Follow ChildVision:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChildVisionVI/
Instagram: @childvisionvi
Twitter: @ChildVisionVI
Website: www.childvision.com

For further information on the Jack de Bromhead equine centre at the ChildVision campus, please contact:
Joanne Byrne, Presence PR – joannebyrne@presence.ie or 087 2494 668

For information on the Honeysuckle colours auction, please contact:
Barbara White, Horse Racing Ireland – bwhite@hri.ie or 087 251 1482

NOTES TO EDITORS
ChildVision’s Equine Assisted Activities (EEA) Programme is an excellent national therapeutic horse-riding programme with proven success of supporting children with physical, emotional, social and cognitive difficulties. With the help of nine fabulous horses, the team complete on average 120 interventions per week, using the horse as an unparalleled therapeutic medium. The caseload comprises of children from ChildVision who experience sight loss and complex needs, individual autistic children, children with cerebral palsy, and those with complex medical needs. EAA works on a strengths-based approach. The aim and ethos of all sessions is to work with the child’s strengths to improve upon their weaknesses. Each session is individualised and created specific to the child’s unique needs. Reported benefits of EAA include improved concentration and learning, sensory regulation, communication and social skills, tone and gross body posture etc.

The programme also supports the whole family unit. The movement method, as part of the horse boy training, looks at ways of carrying over the impact from the equine yard into the classroom and home. The EAA group run parents’ evenings throughout the school year, facilitating learning and creating an opportunity for parents to form peer support groups within a dedicated space; pivotal for supporting emotional and mental health well-being.

 

 

Global Major Appliance Brand Haier Join Punchestown Festival Sponsor Line Up

 

Media Release Monday 22nd 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 30th April to Saturday 4th May.

The €15,000 Haier Flat Race will be the concluding contest on the opening day, Tuesday 30th 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 15th 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 30th April to Saturday 4th 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

 

 

“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.”

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.

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

SBK Announced as Sponsor and Official Betting Partners on Punchestown Festival Saturday

SBK, the sportsbook app powered by Smarkets, has been announced at the new official betting partner on the final day of the 2024 Punchestown Festival.

The €100,000 SBK Gold Trophy H’cap Hurdle on Saturday 4th May is one of the hottest betting contests across the five-day jump racing grand finale. The 2023 running of the SBK Gold Trophy provided The Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate with a dream follow up to a recent Cheltenham Festival win when the John McConnell trained Seddon landed the spoils under jockey Ben Harvey.
SBK first stepped on to the Punchestown stage during the 2023 /2024 jump season. Since then, SBK have enhanced their involvement and are now official betting partner and race sponsor on the concluding day of the Irish jump racing season.

Adam Baylis, Director Of Marketing at SBK , said: “It’s super to be further enhancing our involvement at the home of Irish jump racing. The quality of national hunt racing in Ireland has never been stronger. The champions and heroes of the season will gather for what is a fitting grand finale and homecoming. We are very pleased to be part of that occasion and look forward to working alongside the Punchestown team”.

In addition to prominent branding the new deal will see the betting app host an interactive fan zone and giveaway on the day of their sponsorship. Looking ahead to their involvement Punchestown’s Sponsorship Manager Leona Hughes said “What is now the newly named SBK Gold Trophy on Festival Saturday is an extremely important race on our festival programme. Always full and hotly contested with a good track record for UK runners this race is a competitive number and one for the punters. It’s super to welcome the SBK team to Punchestown. They were here on the quieter days over the winter to we look forward to sharing a busy, vibrant festival experience with them in May”.

The 2024 Punchestown Festival returns from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. The Sporting and social highlight will attract crowds of up to 100,000 across the five days. The unique blend of top-class sport, vibrant enclosures, style, food and lie entertainment has earned the event a ‘must do status’.
For further information please visit: www. Punchestown.com

**ENDS**

Channor Real Estate Group Announced as Major New Sponsor Ahead of 2024 Punchestown Festival

 

Media Release 16th April 2024: As the countdown to the 2024 Punchestown Festival gets underway the home of Irish jump racing today welcomed Channor Real Estate Group as the latest high-profile grade one sponsor in a major three-year deal.

The €125,000 Channor Real Estate Group Grade 1 Novice Hurdle takes place on day two of the prestigious Punchestown Festival, Wednesday.  Formerly run as the Irish Mirror Hurdle, the role of honour for this contest could not be more prolific with dual Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs and stand out Cheltenham performer Gaelic Warrior featuring as victors in the last three years.

The Punchestown sponsorship will be the Channor Real Estate Group’s debut commercial partnership on the Irish racing scene. The second-generation family-owned property investment and development company was established in 1990 and prides itself on ‘creating great places to live and work’. Having been involved in property development in the UK and New Zealand, Channor Real Estate Group would be best known as the developers of Blanchardstown Corporate Park where they have built over 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial property.

Darren Harrison, Channor Real Estate Group CEO, gave an insight on their decision to sponsor at the Punchestown Festival: “The synergy between horse racing and our business community is unmistakable. Having attended last year’s festival, I witnessed first-hand the strong presence of our clientele, and it became clear Punchestown is something we’d like to get involved with. It makes sense to be where they are and Punchestown is the industry leader when it comes to Irish racing events”.

Punchestown Racecourse CEO Conor O’Neill welcomed the Harrison family and Channor team by saying: “The Channor Real Estate Group is exactly the kind of company we enjoy working alongside – family owned and quality focused with a keen eye on longevity.   The Channor team have identified that involvement here at Punchestown makes good commercial sense for them. On behalf of Punchestown we welcome Darren and the team and look forward to optimising this partnership for them over the next three years”

The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. The Channor Real Estate Group Grade 1 Novice Hurdle is one of twelve grade one races featured across the five-day jump racing grand finale. Full ticket, hospitality and event information available at www.punchestown.com

 

ENDS

 

The QuinnBet Grand National Trial Increases to €100,000 with Listed Status

 

Thursday 1st February 2024: Punchestown Racecourse and QuinnBet are pleased to announce that the QuinnBet Grand National Trial will carry a new six figure increased prize fund of €100,000 as the race is promoted to listed status.

The three and a half mile stamina test will be the feature at the home of Irish jump racing on Sunday 18th February. The listed €100,000 QuinnBet Grand National Trial is one of the centre pieces of QuinnBet’s national hunt sponsorship strategy in Ireland and the 2024 running is the second in a three-year deal.

The newly listed contest is, as the name suggests, an ideal fact-finding mission ahead of both the Irish and Grand Nationals. Recent years have proven happy hunting ground for the Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott team. In 2023 Coco Beach led home a maroon one, two, three with 2022 winner Death Duty in the runner spot followed by stablemate Defi Bleu. The QuinnBet Grand National Trial is firmly established as one of the highlight handicap chases on the Irish calendar  with former winners such as the Peter Fahey trained, The Big Dog, progressing on to win both the Munster National and Troytown Chase. Since launching in August of 2017, QuinnBet have grown rapidly in the Irish and UK iGaming sector, providing hugely competitive odds across horse racing and other major sports.

Looking forward to the upcoming QuinnBet Grand National Trial, Niall McPartland, QuinnBet Head of Sponsorship & Commercial said: “QuinnBet is delighted to renew the sponsorship of the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown in 2024 and beyond! This is our second consecutive year to sponsor this race and we are very proud to continue our association with the home of Irish jumps and our sponsorship of Irish racing. The Grand National Trial is considered a key stepping-stone for Irish and UK Grand National contenders. The impressive prize pot of €100,000 will attract a strong field for the 2024 QuinnBet Grand National and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank HRI for their support of the race and Punchestown sponsorship manager Leona Hughes and the team for their assistance in ensuring the success of showcasing our brand at this iconic venue”.

Leona Hughes, Punchestown Sponsorship Manager “It has been a pleasure to work alongside the QuinnBet team across this three-year deal. We are always aiming to improve and progress so the increased prize fund and promotion to listed category is great news and will go a long way to further enhance what is a feature handicap race on the Irish calendar. We had a lovely crowd here for the 2023 renewal so hope to welcome the same again for an afternoon of quality racing with plenty of chase races on offer”.

The QuinnBet Grand National Trial takes place on Sunday 18th February 2024 and is the feature on a high quality seven race card. In addition to the feature, there will be listed and novice chase action along with the highly-anticipated return of the Up The Yard Stable Staff Challenge. The enclosures, restaurants and bars will be buzzing with Race & Dine clients, music, children’s entertainment and more.

Advance ticket prices from just €15. First race 1.35pm (subject to minor change). Visit www.punchestown.com for further information, hospitality and ticket options. For more information

ENDS

About QuinnBet

Founded in 2017, QuinnBet is a rapidly growing brand in the iGaming sector, providing a hugely popular, licensed online sports betting and casino platform in the UK and Ireland. Visit their website for more info www.quinnbet.com

For Further information please contact:

Manuela Bologheanu, QuinnBet head of Brand and PR, Manuela.bologheanu@quinnbet.com

 

 

Punchestown Announce Exciting Festival Changes as 2024 Campaign Launches

 

Punchestown Racecourse today released details of exciting plans and enhancements for the 2024 Punchestown Festival as the home of Irish jump racing prepare to launch ticket, hospitality and general sales for the flagship event running from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May.

The four-step plan has evolved from customer feedback, business analysis, market research and consultation. The scale of the five-day fixture, the commercial implications, economic impact and stakeholders are all considered when making such worthwhile and strategic alterations.

 

The Four Key Changes for Punchestown Festival 2024 include:

 

  1. Earlier Start Times

The first two days of the 2024 Punchestown Festival will revert to a 2.30pm start from the current time of 3.40pm. Market research shows that around 70% of paying clients would ‘definitely or most probably’ like to see some of the festival days start and finish earlier. This will assist with travel and post racing arrangements.

 

  1. Ticket Products and Pricing

Whether it’s a business or a household we fully appreciate that value for money is particularly important now more than ever. Following a full review of ticket pricing and products there will be a price reduction to €30 for the first three days and €40 for Friday and Saturday. As a premium sport and leisure event these prices compare very favourably.

There will be no early bird offers or promotions just one great value ticket offering for advance purchases.

The original Flexi ticket will be replaced by the new Choice Ticket that can be used Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday.

Senior, student, group and family ticket concessions continue and all children under 14 years of age race for free all season. Full value details available on www.punchestown.com

 

  1. Refreshed Festival Layout

The festival layout will undergo a full refresh including the removal of the traditional reserved enclosure and the introduction of new racegoer amenities. The objective is to optimise the scope of the enclosures, utilise all available facilities which in turn will improve footfall flow and reduce potential pressure points.

 

  1. Enhance & Improve Raceday Experience

This point is neither new nor dynamic as the pursuit of excellent customer experience is an ongoing process. The enhancement of the race day visit will go hand-in-hand with the new layout. The Punchestown demographic is a diverse one with varied tastes and requirements for a memorable customer experience. Alongside our catering and service partners, we aim to deliver a selection of great quality food and beverage options with efficient, friendly service in comfortable surroundings.

 

Conor O’Neill Punchestown CEO explained the theory behind the proposed plan “Today’s announcement is a very positive one. We greatly appreciate feedback, good and bad as without it we cannot improve the product which we offer. If we’re not improving we’re going backwards, it’s as simple as that and in the current climate that is not something any business can afford to do.

O’Neill continued: “We say it time and time again that people make Punchestown, so it is those very people who have shaped and informed this plan and it is this plan that will help us deliver the best possible Punchestown experience we can to our customers who are the backbone of our business. If it doesn’t work for the customer it ultimately won’t work for Punchestown, so I hope we’ve got the balance right as we look ahead to the 2024 Punchestown Festival.”

 

The 2024 Punchestown Festival will take place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. Tickets are now on sale. For full information please visit www.punchestown.com

 

*ENDS*

 

Editors Notes

 

Punchestown Festival 2024 Advance Ticket Prices

Tuesday/Wednesday/ Thursday    €30

Friday and Saturday   €40

Student and Senior receive a €10 discount on the day with proof of ID

*New product* The Choice Ticket – can be used on either Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday  –            €35

Saturday Family Ticket for two adults and children  €50

Under 14 years of age race for free all year at Punchestown.

Group of 10 people plus receive discounts.

There will be no Flexi ticket available for the 2024 Festival.

*Advance Tickets are those booked and paid for by 10pm the night before the race day.

Start Times

The later start time of first race at 3.45pm was introduced in 2009 during the economic crisis to accommodate racegoers looking to facilitate at least a half day at work. In recent years there has been an increasing demand from customers from both UK visitors, those who may travel significant journeys and festival goers who wished to make post racing plans to consider earlier start times. Local restaurants and pubs should welcome this news which will increase après racing trade.

IT’S SUMMER IN TOWN TIME

When – Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June 2023

What – A fun and relaxed weekend of racing with live music, BBQ, childrens entertainment, sports coverage and shuttle bus into Naas after racing.

First race – 2.30 Saturday and 2.15 Sunday (if there is an additional race racing may commence half an hour earlier. This will be confirmed at 48 hours before the race day)

Tickets – Buy in advance to save €5 per person and get a free racecard on the day – €15. On the day tickets – €20. Family deal on the day is €25 for two adults and ‘smallies’.

Food Options – BBQ Box and The Feedroom Cafe will be open both days with a selection of hot and cold dishes, barista coffee, delicious bakes and snacks.

Beverages – The Loft Bar, Madigans Bar and Pop Up Bars will be serving throughout the day. ID may be requested.

Elevate Your Weekend – The famous Race & Dine package with delicious four course lunch overlooking the track is the ultimate treat for just €89pp. The Punchestown Private Collection offers a variety of exclusive suites with various dining options for your special occasion.

 

 

Punchestown racecourse invites you to join the end of season celebration with a two day mini-festival taking place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June.

The Summer in Town meeting will have a relaxed, laid back festival vibe with special entertainment planned for each day. On Saturday 10th June there will be live music, buzzing bar scene, full sports coverage on big screens and of course great racing. All activities will be centered around the parade ring, horse walk and champions garden with delicious BBQ meal deals prepared and served by Lily and Wild. Younger racegoers will love the free fun zone in The Playroom with games, activities and face painting. The famous Punchestown Race & Dine packages are proving as popular as ever with The Watchhouse restaurant nearing full capacity and suites busy with special occasion celebrations. For customer’s convenience a Naas shuttle bus service will be in operation after racing for just €5 per person.

Day two of the Summer In Town meeting will see the focus shift to families and community. In addition to an afternoon of  great racing action there will be children’s entertainment, games, face painting, bunting and picnic benches, The Ptown Ice Cream Van, The Playroom and up-close access to horses and jockeys. Early in the day Fit Club @ Punchestown takes place with €2,000 cash on offer in the inter club fitness fundraising challenge.

Punchestown supporters and festival goers will be interested to visit the exhibition of photos that have been chosen as finalists of the Punchestown – More than Horses photography competition. This initiative was run in association with Bermingham Cameras during the 2023 Punchestown Festival. Photography students, enthusiasts and club members were invited ‘to attempt to capture Punchestown in a photo where the subject is not necessarily the horse but more about the people, place and occasion”. Over fifty photographers took part throughout the event and the overall winner will be selected on Sunday 11th June.

Looking ahead to the Summer In Town mini-festival Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill said “There is a real end of school term feel about the Summer in Town mini-festival. Punchestown mirrors the school year. We kick off in September, have a few big tests through the winter and then the business end of the season is the festival followed by a relaxing and enjoyable end of season party before the summer holidays. A lovely summers weekend at Punchestown would be a wonderful way to thank everyone for their support during the season and we really do look forward to seeing friends old and new on June 10th and 11th”.

Following the Summer In Town fixture, the home of Irish jump racing then takes the traditional break until mid-September when racing returns with a flat meeting before getting back to business in mid October for the jump season proper.