Mullins hails unsung heroes as big guns primed for Punchestown

Gaelic Warrior has such ability that he could win at any trip.    Lossiemouth is “entering Quevega territory”.   And the reformed Il Etait Temps benefited from the ride of the week by Paul Townend in the shadow of the Cotswolds, to score in the Champion Chase. So says the man who has overseen the development of the Cheltenham Triple Crown-winning trio, Willie Mullins.

Each has presented a puzzle to solve at various points in their careers and one suspects that solving such conundrums and ruminating upon the best course of action for any given horse is as much the reason why the enduring behemoth of the jumps game gets as much a kick out of his staggering success now, as ever.
Mullins heads to the Punchestown Festival, which kicks off next Tuesday, armed with such artillery that even though he trails Gordon Elliott by €154,000 in the race to be champion trainer, he is an unbackable favourite to garner enough of the record €3.6 million in prize money on offer throughout the five days, to secure his 20th title.

The aforementioned superstars are all on target for a bid at following up on home turf, but in the case of Gaelic Warrior and Il Etait Temps, there are considerable challenges from stablemates to face. Fact Or File comes into the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup fresh, having been withdrawn from the Ryanair Chase due to unsuitable ground, while in the William Hill Champion Chase, Majborough represents the latest enigma for the master conditioner to deal with, capable of blowing a race apart but also of shooting himself in the foot.

This is championship racing, in every sense.

It is funny now, to reflect on how many column inches went into Mullins’ slow start to the season. It was relative, of course, but it wasn’t totally imagined. The man himself has acknowledged it. And coupled with Elliott’s blistering campaign, it is why Closutton still has ground to make up if the yard is to record a 19th consecutive trainers’ gong.
“We were very happy with the season, how it played out and is playing out,” says Mullins now, with the festival just days away. “We still have Punchestown to go but we are very happy that we’ve had a good season.

“What can we say? We had a great Cheltenham, then there was winning the Grand National and we had a good home season as well.”
He has spoken before about the impact of the sustained rain as Autumn transitioned to Winter, arriving as it did, on the back of a near drought. Delaying seasonal debuts caused a backlog in terms of finding races for all the horses. It felt like a race against time, on occasion, but as sure as night follows day and Punchestown brings the curtain down on the Irish jumps season, the Closutton crew got it right when it mattered most. The boss hails the endeavours of his staff for ensuring this was the case. “A really prolonged wet period is tough on staff, tough on horses… I must compliment my staff this year with the year that was in it, how good they are. Every day, they’re all dressed for wet weather, and they appear in and get their work done, and there’s never a grumble from them. We’re very grateful to have such fine staff, who seem to enjoy the challenge that we had. Yeah, we owe them a big thanks.

“I think in any business to have good staff morale is important. And when you take that into context, the horses have to be in good form as well. If you have happy staff, you’ll have happy horses. If horses are happier, they’ll work a lot more for you. That’s a big thing.” The fruits of all those labours are illustrated best in Spring. Gaelic Warrior is a case in point, a horse that has had many people scratching their heads at different times. Can’t go left-handed, needs a trip. Then wins a Cheltenham Arkle Chase over two miles, after an exhausted fall at Leopardstown that offered proof positive he would not even be a Ryanair horse. Begins this season with triumph in the John Durkan Memorial in an epic battle with Fact Or File, after running away with Townend. That made it three from four at Punchestown, the first victory coming in what is now the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle in 2023, the only defeat being inflicted by Il Etait Temps in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase 12 months later. And most recently, one of the most impressive winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in recent memory.
“I just think Gaelic Warrior has such ability, on a given day, he could do two miles, two and a half or three, depending on opposition. He’s got such ability, he can do that. But he was brilliant in the Gold Cup.”

Il Etait Temps bouncing back from a below par effort at Ascot in January was probably the team’s best feat though, Mullins indicates.
“I would take more from the likes of Il Etait Temps. A lot of people put a line through him when he fell in Ascot and for him to come back and win the Champion Chase was great.
“But to me, that victory as much down to Paul’s, what I would have thought was ride of the week in Cheltenham. Now I might be a bit biased. I’d be only looking at our own horses, but I thought his ride in the Champion Chase was just something else.

“That’s the difference, having a man on board who is not afraid to sit when he thought the pace was too fast and if it didn’t work out, he was going to get a lot of criticism. I’m looking at Paul and thinking, ‘He knows something. He knows they’re going too fast.’ I had such confidence in him. I just thought it was a huge ride from him in a race like that.”
There was a time when Townend just could not get it right with Il Etait Temps and on more than one occasion, the Cork pilot – who has made a virtue out of being on the right one more often than not – chose a stablemate, only to see the eight-year-old owned by Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud gallop away into the distance in front of him.
Prior to this season’s two Grade 1 victories in which Townend has done the navigating, the son of Jukebox Jury had scored five times at elite level and Danny Mullins was on board for four of them. Seemingly always under-appreciated, from his seven top-flight successes, he has only been favourite once, when careering to a nine-length victory in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown last December.

“Il Etait Temps was a tough ride in his early stages, he was hard to ride. Apart from riding him right, he was just hard to ride. He was very keen. He was tough on jockeys. Danny got a great tune out of him in the early days.” Townend has always been a regular on Lossiemouth, however, and it was the desire to maintain that partnership that had connections preferring the Mares’ Hurdle option at Prestbury Park until this season, when injury ruled State Man out. Indeed, the manner of her victory at Cheltenham is clearly a direct compliment to the ability of State Man, another apparently underrated Closutton stalwart, albeit that Rich Ricci’s mare is now in the throes of establishing her own legendary status. “Paul would never have gotten off State Man to ride Lossiemouth any day of the week and told me that more than once over the last couple of years, so it just shows (how good he is),” Mullins acknowledges.
“But it shows what a mare she is too. She’s been to Cheltenham four times and won four times. That’s a fair statistic. She’s getting into Quevega territory.”
Lossiemouth also has a fantastic record at Punchestown, where she has a blemish-free record from three outings, all in Grade 1s. Most recently, she has added the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle in November to her festival successes in the Ballymore Champion Hurdle (2023) and SBK Irish EBF Mares’ Champion Hurdle.
Mullins reports the trio and indeed all of his Cheltenham Festival-winning squad to have come out of proceedings well and on track to rock up to Punchestown. The Kildare venue is one he appreciates and the festival is one he relishes.

“We have a good team coming next week. The key to Punchestown is the fact that they water so well and provide safe jumping ground.
“It’s one of the biggest meetings in our season, we enjoy going there. The weather is usually good, the ground is good, the prize money is good. It’s just a fabulous meeting and we take it very seriously. It’s been good to us over the years.”
It is the first time since he nabbed Elliott in the dying embers of the 2018 festival that Mullins goes into Punchestown trailing in the trainers’ championship.
“Yes! It’s going to make it a very interesting week. And we’ll enjoy it either way. Everyone’s in good form at Punchestown and you’ve got to take it as it comes. We’ve had upsets there before, and we’ll have more, but largely, it’s been very good to us.”

Willie Mullins Stable Tour
LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP
“Both GAELIC WARRIOR and FACT TO FILE are in good shape and it should be a fascinating race again, over a longer trip compared to the John Durkan.
“Fact To File didn’t run in Cheltenham so that’s going to be a huge advantage to him I’d say.
“We’ll leave it till the weekend to make a decision on IMPAIRE ET PASSE. He was going quite well until falling at Aintree so we’ll see. The National didn’t work out for GRANGECLARE WEST or CHAMP KIELY and they have been left in for now as well.”

WILLIAM HILL CHAMPION CHASE
“IL ETAIT TEMPS, MAJBOROUGH and ENERGUMENE have done their final bits of work and I am very happy with them. Il Etait Temps has come out of Cheltenham very well.
“I think we still have to find the right way to get Majborough right. He’s not a finished product yet. We’ve got to ask ourselves, ‘Does he need a longer trip?’ I don’t know. There’s certain days he looks fantastic, and other days he doesn’t. We haven’t got the finished product yet.
“At this point in time, Energumene will run. The weather forecast wouldn’t be great for him (as he needs soft going) but if the ground is safe for him, he’ll run. And they’re past masters at getting safe ground in Punchestown.”

BOODLES CHAMPION HURDLE
LOSSIEMOUTH has come out of Cheltenham fine and we are looking forward to her being back at Punchestown, where she has a great record.
ANZIDAM is another horse, like Il Etait Temps, that’s been difficult to ride in the early stage of his career, so I’m hoping we get a better handle on him next week. Maybe he’s a horse that needs to go over fences and that might make him easier to handle.
It’s been tough for PONIROS and it always is at his age, coming out of a juvenile campaign. I’m not expecting anything from him this week and am waiting more for next season for him when he matures. EL FABIOLO and ABSURDE are also still in the mix.

LADBROKES CHAMPION STAYERS’ HURDLE
“I’m not sure what way we’re going to go in the Stayers’. Teahupoo will be hard to beat, whatever we run. We have four left in it: ABSURDE, JIMMY DU SEUIL, KAWABOOMGA and JADE DE GRUGY. We’re looking at an end-of-season experiment to see have we got one good enough for a staying hurdle campaign next year.

NOVICE HURDLERS
“I’m hoping they’ll all rock up again. Some of them showed well at Cheltenham, some were disappointing. LEADER D’ALLIER (PRL Champion Novice Hurdle) is a nice horse but I don’t think we’ve got anything like the best out of him yet. His homework would suggest he’s a lot better than his finishing position at Fairyhouse, though he won his maiden well at Punchestown in January.
It was fantastic to get a winning bracket at Cheltenham for KING RASKO GREY, and I’m not decided yet which direction I’m going to go with him, but it would look more like the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles, than the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle over two.
DOCTOR STEINBERG obviously is very good over a trip, but we’ve got to get the tactics right. He was way too free in Cheltenham.
KITZBUHEL was brilliant in Cheltenham but there won’t be a rematch with FINAL DEMAND in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase. I just wasn’t happy with him (yesterday) morning. He’s a big unit and I’d rather have him fresh for next season.”

 

 

 

PUNCHESTOWN ON COURSE TO SURPASS GOLDEN BENCHMARK

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The challenge is set and the countdown is on for the 2026 Punchestown Festival, one of the most anticipated fixtures in the Irish sporting and social calendar, taking place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May.

With an ideal weather forecast on the radar, the Racecourse of The Year is preparing to go even bigger and better than last year’s record level attendance with advance ticket sales indicating a crowd of over 130,000 across five days. Whilst the best of Irish and British racing talent will battle it out across 40 races for the record €3.6 million prize fund, this occasion has evolved far beyond sport to become a flagship national entertainment event.

Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill explains the scale and impact of the Festival: “World class championship sport remains at the heart of what we do and alongside this our strategy is to enhance, elevate, and excel in an extremely competitive leisure and entertainment market. The Punchestown Festival is big business, has a huge economic impact of over €70 million, boosts tourism by filling every hotel room in the region and attracts international interest from as far as the USA and Australia. Whilst the enclosures, pavilions and bars are packed with festival goers enjoying racing, great live entertainment, style, shopping, food and beverage, we will host over 24,000 people from 800 companies as Ireland’s largest corporate hospitality event with seasonal, locally sourced menus prepared and served by excellent teams of over 600 staff”.

O’Neill adds “I’m delighted to say that our hospitality is totally sold out midweek despite expanding capacity by 2,500 seats and introducing the new Horse Walk venue. Saturday has a handful of seats left”.

From Tuesday 28th April, the trainer and jockey championship battles will be decided whilst the social hub Southern Enclosure will host the iconic Sky Bar After Party, Pony Club live music stage and the coveted Bollinger Best Dressed Style award. New for 2026 will be the Kildare Village Grand Pavilion, Ireland’s biggest singles event in the Your Friend My Friend Saturday Pavilion, mobile DJ sets, the expanded Britvic Family fun zone and a host of new beverage and dining options across a huge variety of bars and pop-up outlets.

The very last ticket deal wraps up at midnight on Sunday 26th April after which premium Festival prices kick in for all those except seniors, students, teens and family who buy on the day. Organisers strongly advise using public transport where possible especially on Festival Friday. A complete transport plan is available on the website with plenty of additional local shuttle and regional bus services added for 2026.

With so many moving parts including compelling championship narratives, over 60 British raiders, ever-expanding hospitality, style stakes and entertainment reminiscent of the Oxegen years, the 2026 Punchestown Festival is poised to deliver another unforgettable chapter. The stage is set. The legacy is strong. The expectation is clear. See you at Punchestown.

Visit www.punchestown.com for ticket bookings and full event details.

FESTIVAL FRIDAY TEEN SCENE INFO 

Festival Friday has grown to become an extremely popular social event for teenagers and young adults. Below is some useful information in advance your visit:

Tickets  |   Transport & Traffic  |  Access & Search Procedure

To ensure safe entrance, Punchestown Racecourse (t/a Blackhall Racing) in collaboration with An Garda Siochana have introduced the following measures:

 

TICKETS

Teen Scene (14 – 17 years inclusive).  Tickets can be purchased on arrival, on the day only.

Tickets are €30. This includes a discount. Most concerts, matches events do not offer a reduction to premium event but we are happy to do so.

Contactless payment is available throughout the venue and is preferred, however, it is always useful to safely carry cash as a back-up. We highly recommend collecting cash in advance of arrival to avoid long queues.

Gates open from 12 noon.

⚠️Friday-Only Traffic Restrictions ⚠️

 

⚠️ Friday-Only Traffic Restrictions

Buses and large vehicles cannot turn right at Mylerstown Cross

Must instead → Continue to Naas → use South Ring Road (R447)

 

🚖🚌 Pick-Ups (Friday)

All buses, taxis and pick-up vehicles must be on-site before the second last race 6pm  (7pm Friday)

 

🚪 Friday Entry Routes for Pick-Ups (after 6pm)

Ballymore Eustace Road Entrance  &  Walshestown Quarry Road  / Balltreacy Entrance

 

🚫 Parking Restrictions

No parking allowed on approach roads / Illegally parked vehicles will be towed

 

🚌 Coaches / Buses

Enter via R410 (Blessington Road)

Exit via R411 (Ballymore Eustace Road)

One-way system may apply

 

🚧 Local Access Restrictions

No access from Mullacash Cross → Watch House Cross during peak exit times

Diversions via Killashee → Naas

Some temporary disruption to local residents expected

TEEN SCENE ACCESS PROCEDURE

The designated Teen Scene (14 – 17 years) entrance will be operated by Frontline Security supported by An Garda Siochana and The Civil Defence.

Bag checks and searches will take place at the point of entry. This is standard procedure at events of this nature and refusal may result in denial of entry.

Drinks and beverage containers will not be permitted and will be confiscated at point of entry.

Medications such as Epipen are permitted and will not be confiscated.

An independent welfare officer will oversee the system to ensure all teenagers entering via this turnstile are treated fairly and appropriately.

The Teen Scene entrance operation will be recorded by CCTV.

 

Supporting the Care Behind Every Runner

Connolly’s RED MILLS, together with Foran Equine and Carr & Day & Martin, returns to Punchestown with a continued commitment to the people behind racing shining a light on the stable staff whose care and consistency underpin every runner.

Built around the platform Nourish Support Care, our presence spans the full week from the stable yard to the racecourse and into the shopping village.

RED MILLS Supporting Stable Staff Canteen Sponsorship

At the heart of our activity is the Stable Staff Canteen sponsorship providing complimentary meals throughout the week as a simple way to recognise the dedication of grooms and stable staff.

This is supported by daily stable yard engagement, including Spin to Win and product giveaways, along with Carr & Day & Martin Gallop Shampoo Bars available in the wash bays reinforcing practical, hands-on care where it matters most.

 

Supporting the Racing Industry: €75,000 RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Series Hurdle Final

On Gold Cup Day April 29th, Punchestown will once again stage the €75,000 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Series Hurdle Final, continuing our commitment to opportunity and progression within racing. The Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series was added to the Irish National Hunt programme for the 2017/2018 season and was designed to showcase talented maiden and novice hurdlers sourced at more affordable prices. Open to horses typically bought for €45,000/€30,000 or less at store sales in Ireland and the UK, the series provides a valuable platform to breeders, owners and trainers alike. The series features 16 qualifying races across the season, each worth at least €20,000, before culminating in the €75,000 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final at Punchestown Festival each April. Last years final was won by Thisistheway trained & owned by Yvonne Latta & her family. The daughter of Doyen was bought-back for only €2,000 at the 2022 Tattersalls Summer Store Sale.

Punchestown POV 2026: Punchestown Festival Groom Competition
New for 2026, Punchestown POV invites grooms to share their raceday experience from first feed to final check highlighting the work, skill and attention to detail behind every horse, with fantastic prizes awarded to winning yards.

What It Is

A simple, social-first competition inviting grooms to show us their full raceday during Punchestown.

From first feed at dawn…
to travel…
to wash bays…
to final check at night.

• They’ll have one week after the Festival to post their video.
• We will award 3 winning yards, selected using a tiered system to ensure fairness across yard sizes.

How It Works

To enter, grooms must:

1. Film their Punchestown raceday
2. Post to Instagram or TikTok within 7 days of the Festival ending
3. Tag RED MILLS, Foran Equine & Carr & Day & Martin
4. Use #PunchestownPOV
5. Follow the accounts

Multiple jumps championships to be settled at Punchestown Festival 2026

Next week’s Punchestown Festival will bring down the curtain on the 2025/26 National Hunt season in spectacular fashion.

The hugely anticipated five-day meeting takes place from Tuesday, April 28 to Saturday, May 2.

It will feature no fewer than 12 Grade 1 events with a record €3.6 million up for grabs across 40 races at the County Kildare venue.

Punchestown is also when the season’s champions are crowned on the final day.

For County Carlow-based trainer Willie Mullins, receiving the Champion Trainer trophy has been an annual tradition since 2008.

However, he is €154,000 shy of rival Gordon Elliott’s prize money tally in the race for this year’s title.

Elliott has finished second to Mullins for each of the last 13 years. Whatever happens next week the Meath trainer, with 11 Grade 1 prizes won at home and abroad this term, deserves enormous credit for his sustained challenge to the most potent force National Hunt racing has ever seen.

Should Mullins prevail, it will be his 20th championship in all and crown a spring when he has swept the boards at the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and the Randox Grand National.

The Champion Jockey title appears to rest between Kerry’s Jack Kennedy and Darragh O’Keeffe from Cork. The former leads by five winners 99-94 before the next jumps fixture at Kilbeggan this Friday evening. Reigning champion Paul Townend is in third place on 83 winners.

Kennedy is seeking a second title, having sealed his first championship at this meeting two years ago. His 11 Grade 1 wins this term have been for Elliott at home, in England and the USA.

O’Keeffe, meanwhile, is bidding for a first crown having by far exceeded his previous best tally of 62 winners. He rode three Grade 1 winners over the season, all for his principal supporter Henry de Bromhead.

The battle for the Champion Conditional Jockey is even tighter with just three winners separating Wexford rider Eoin Staples and Michael Kenneally from Cork, the score 33-30.

Staples’ association with the Gavin Cromwell team in County Meath yielded the most memorable moment of his career to date when he won the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Now Is The Hour in January.

Kenneally, meanwhile, only turned professional in September and has sourced his success from a wide variety of trainers. His finest hour arrived when he won at the Dublin Racing Festival on Cousin Kate for trainer Denis Hogan.

In the Champion Owner category, JP McManus leads Gigginstown House Stud in his pursuit of a sixth successive title and 23rd in all.

Patrick Mullins will receive the Champion Amateur title for the 18th time with 33 winners at the time of going to press. He crossed the 900-winner mark during the season. Jody Townend, meanwhile, is poised to be named Leading Lady Rider for the sixth year running.

“There is a sense of anticipation about the Punchestown Festival that seems to get stronger every year,” said Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland.

“The fact that so many championships are still to be settled adds a compelling narrative to a meeting that showcases the very best of Irish jumps racing. All the ingredients are there for a vintage Festival and we can’t wait for it.”

FRS Fencing Announces Three-Year Partnership with Punchestown Festival 2026

Media Release, Tuesday 14th April: FRS Fencing, the leading Irish provider of fencing solutions to the agricultural, equestrian and commercial sectors, is proud to announce a three-year partnership with the prestigious Punchestown Festival. The collaboration will see FRS Fencing take centre stage as the naming partner for the FRS Fencing Handicap Hurdle held on the Friday of the five day festival each year from 2026 through 2028.

FRS Fencing, part of FRS Co-Op, is the largest specialist fencing business in the country operating from 15 locations nationwide. They are exclusive and sole providers of the Sentree copper-oil and Dura2 copper-water timber fence posts in Ireland, which come with 20 year warranties and are direct replacements for creosote treated products. As leaders in fencing for almost 40 years, the FRS Fencing Handicap Hurdle sponsorship underlines the company’s commitment to Irish sport, equine communities and rural enterprises.

Commenting on the partnership, Colin Donnery – FRS Co-Op CEO said: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Punchestown through this exciting three-year deal. The Friday at Punchestown is a massive occasion and partnering with such a celebrated event allows us to connect directly with the equine and rural communities that are at the heart of our business. Initiatives like this showcase our work while staying true to our cooperative roots.”

Janet Creighton, sponsorship at Punchestown, added: “FRS Fencing’s involvement highlights the value of long-term partnerships that connect national brands with our racing and equestrian community. We are thrilled to welcome them as the named partner of the FRS Fencing Handicap Hurdle and look forward to seeing their commitment showcased across the Festival over the next three years.”

Kevin Blake, Horse Breeder, also commented, “It’s fantastic to see FRS Fencing come on board as a sponsor of the Punchestown Racing Festival. Strong sponsorship is vital to the ongoing success of Irish racing, and it’s especially encouraging when that support comes from a thriving cooperative. Partnerships like this highlight the strength of the industry and the communities behind it.”

The FRS Fencing Handicap Hurdle takes place on day four of the 2026 Punchestown Festival which runs from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May.

ENDS

More About FRS
FRS Fencing is Ireland’s leading farm and commercial fencing providers and is a proud part of FRS Co-Op. Headquartered in Roscrea, County Tipperary, FRS Co-Op was founded in 1980 and has 2,000 staff nationwide. The FRS Co-Op provides a broad spectrum of services spanning fencing, agriculture, training, recruitment, employment support and contract services. Its diverse businesses include FRS Recruitment, FRS Fencing, FRS Farm Services, FRS Training, Turas Nua and WrkWrk.

WHAT?

The famous Bollinger Best Dressed Competition returns. Widely regarded as Ireland’s most prestigious style competition, The Bollinger Best Dressed takes place across the first four days of the festival from Tuesday 28th April to the final on Friday 1st May.

 

WHEN?

The Bollinger Best Dressed judging starts on Tuesday 28th April and runs through to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 1st May.

Each day judges will scout the crowds and enclosures seeking out looks from 1.30pm ahead of racing getting underway at 2.30pm (3.30pm on Friday).

Finalists will be asked to gather in the Bollinger Garden in the South Enclosure from 3.30pm.

A winner will be selected from the daily finalists by 4.30pm each day so please arrive early.

That winner progresses to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 1st May!

 

WHERE?

While judges will cover as many locations around the enclosures, pavilions and venues as possible, The Bollinger Champagne Lounge and Garden located in the South enclosure will be the Style Quarter for the festival. This is where daily and grand finalists will take to the stage for judging each day straight after the second race.

 

EYES ON THE PRIZE

• The overall winner and guest win a ‘money can’t buy’ trip of a lifetime to the home of Bollinger. This is not a cliche, you literally cannot buy this prize as it is invitation only.
• Flights to Paris, 5* Hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, Exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience including private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the champagne region Reims.
• One year supply of Bollinger (case = 12 bottles)
• The official winners portrait photo will appear in Irish Country Magazine as part of the ever popular My Style My Story feature.
• Daily winners and finalists will enjoy a deluxe goody bag.
• On Friday May 1st, sharply dressed gents will enjoy the opportunity to win a case of Bollinger along with a www.louiscopeland.com prize

 

WHO?

The Bollinger Best Dressed competition is open to everyone. There will be a separate prize for gents on Friday 1 May thanks for Louis Copeland

 

THE JUDGES 

• Jess Colivet @jesscolivet

Based only a stones throw from Punchestown, in county Kildare, Ireland, Lead Judge Jess Colivet is a renowned personal stylist and content creator known for her inspiring fashion insights on Instagram. With a postgraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin and a Personal Styling qualification from the London College of Style, her impressive career includes serving as Head Dresser for Paul Costelloe at London Fashion Week, working with esteemed designers such as Richard Quinn and Rixo. Jess has collaborated with Tory Burch, LK Bennett, Bollinger, Trinny London, Boodles, Punchestown, Paul Sheeran and more . Jess’s impeccable style has been highlighted by SheerLuxe, The Gloss, and Image Magazine in their “A Week in My Wardrobe” features.Sustainability is at the heart of Jess’s fashion philosophy. She advocates for quality over quantity, encouraging mindful fashion choices and inspiring her followers to embrace slow fashion.

 

• Jennifer Wrynne @jenniferwrynne

Entrepreneur, designer, and digital creator, Jennifer Wrynne has cultivated a distinctive presence within Ireland’s fashion and lifestyle landscape, underpinned by an innate sense of elegance and attention to detail. Alongside her work in fashion, she is also a milliner and designer not to mention Mum to four young children!

Beyond style, Jennifer has recently shared a deeply personal chapter of her life, navigating and overcoming breast cancer with honesty, resilience, and grace. Through this experience, she has connected with her audience on a more profound level, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire strength in others. Her content reflects a life that balances family, creativity, and modern luxury grounded in authenticity and a strong sense of self.

• Hayley StJohn & Carol Nolan @InTheEdit

This Wicklow based pair started an Instagram page to share outfits and style finds that mix forever pieces with high street buys. They now have a community of 92,000 followers! Both will bring a gorgeous fresh outlook as neither have ever been racing before never mind been part of a best dressed racing event. We love their approach to putting outfits together without spending a fortune.

 

• Irish Country Magazine @irishcountrymag

Deputy Editor Niamh Devereux will represent the Irish Country Magazine team for co-judge duties on Festival Thursday. As a champion for Irish design and channeling the Something Old/Something New sustainable fashion theme, Niamh says “I’ll be looking for the best stories behind the outfits with a particular eye for Irish design”. The overall winner will star in the My Style My Story feature along with official portrait in The Irish Country Magazine.

The Bollinger Best Dressed Judges Punchestown 2026

 

• Team Bollinger @champagne_Bollinger

Arthur Robert – Friday Final

In his roll as Bollinger Business Manager for France and Europe, Arthur Robert, will have a keen eye for who represents this timeless, luxury brand. Arthur is originally from Lyon, France. Raised on the wines of Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley, he naturally found his way into the wine industry in 2013. While studying hospitality and wine business, he completed an MBA and gained hands-on experience through an internship with a small-scale group of biodynamic winemakers, working across a wide range of French terroirs, including Champagne. Having long considered Bollinger his favourite house, it was only natural for him to join the company, where he now oversees the French and EU markets.

Michelle O’Sullivan – Friday Final

A director of Bollinger representatives in Ireland, Findlater & Co, Michelle has over two decades of experience working in the wine industry and has been instrumental in the development of the Bollinger Best Dressed at Punchestown since 2016.

• Verona Farrell @secondhandhuns

Kildare-born Verona Farrell, also known as @secondhandhuns, is a content-creator, writer and street-style videographer. During an Erasmus semester in Sweden, spotting fashionable Scandinavians on the street inspired her popular video series – ‘What People Are Wearing’, leading to one million followers across Tiktok and Instagram and a column with Vogue Scandinavia. Today she is based in London, where she continues to grow her online presence while studying book writing at a publishing house, Faber.

Verona joins us as guest judge alongside Team Bollinger and Jess Colivet.

• David O’Connor @styledoc

Gentlemen’s Prize Awarded Friday 1 May thanks to @louiscopeland_and_sons

Managing Director of Pembroke Street and Galway Louis Copeland.

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.

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.

 

THE THEME REMAINS SUSTAINABLE

Something Old/ Something New for 2026

We are excited to introduce the Something Old/Something New theme focused on sustainable fashion. This simply means to take a considered approach to your race day look.

Start by shopping your own wardrobe. Is there a key piece that you can reinvent?

Exchange, borrow, swap and rent key pieces with your circle of friends and the many fashion rental businesses that have launched.

Invest in quality. Buy something that you love. That is really well made using quality materials and design. Think of timeless style.

Visit one of the many pre-loved stores online or in person and bag a quality piece for a fraction of the price.

Punchestown Welcome The Stables Restaurant Naas

New Three-Year Sponsorship Deal Announced

Media Release, Monday 30th March 2026: With just four weeks to go to the 2026 Punchestown Festival, the home of Irish jump racing today welcomed The Stables Restaurant Naas as an exciting addition to the sponsorship line-up for the flagship sporting event. The three-year agreement will see the popular new dining venue sponsor The Stables Restaurant Naas Flat Race on one of Ireland’s leading fixtures, Ladies Day, Friday 1 May 2026.

Located in Poplar Square in the centre of Naas, The Stables Restaurant has quickly established itself as a vibrant addition to the local food scene since opening its doors on 25th September last year. As the name suggests, chef proprietor Nick Courtney and his wife Jeanne, have a shared passion for horse racing and have combined this with Nick’s impressive resume that includes The K Club, The Merrion and the Cashel Palace in his hometown as a Tipperary native.

In advance of opening, the venue underwent a major renovation project and the result is an interior that blends contemporary dining with equestrian character. From striking racing imagery and themed design elements to a dedicated display celebrating memorable wins and favourite horses. In just eight months, The Stables has already gained a loyal following, with diners praising both the quality of the food, the strong team culture, with a focus on friendly, attentive service.

Having established themselves on the Kildare food scene the move into race sponsorship is a natural next step for the couple, whose connection to horse racing runs deep. The association with Punchestown holds special significance as one of the highlights of the Courtney’s ownership experience was when Gordon Elliott trained Minella Crooner won the Pat Taaffe Steeplechase on the final day of the 2024 Festival.

“This partnership means a lot to us personally,” said Chef-Proprietor Nick Courtney. “Racing has always been a big part of our lives, so to be involved with Punchestown and to sponsor a race on such a major day is something we’re very proud of.”

Jeanne Courtney looks forward to welcoming racegoers: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built in a short space of time. For us, it’s about creating a place where people feel welcome, enjoy great food, and leave happy. That’s always the goal. We are looking forward to meeting and looking after those who share our passion for Punchestown and racing.”

Janet Creighton and Leona Hughes of the Punchestown sponsorship team commented: “Nothing gives us more pride than teaming up with a local business that we are proud to send Punchestown visitors to before and after their race day experience. Where people eat, drink, meet and are welcomed and valued is so integral to their overall experience. Combine this with a passion for the sport and it’s a winning combination. We wish Nick and Jeanne the very best with their venture and really look forward to working alongside them”.

The Stables Naas are now taking bookings for the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May. Full information available on www.punchestown.com and www.thestablesnaas.ie

*THE END**

 

Sebden Steel Celebrates 30 Years in Business at the Punchestown Festival 2026

 

Media Release, 4th March March 2026: Punchestown Racecourse is proud to host the Sebden Steel Celebrating 30 Years In Business Pro/Am Flat Race, on the concluding day of the 2026 Punchestown Festival and jump racing season, Saturday 2nd May.The sponsorship marks a significant milestone for Sebden Steel as the company celebrates three decades in business and continues their valued and longstanding relationship with Ireland’s racecourse of the year.

Sebden Steel has been a loyal supporter of Punchestown for many years, initially as hospitality clients, however, as the relationship grew so did their involvement and in 2022 Sebden Steel stepped up to become race sponsors at the Punchestown Premiere Weekend in November. Since then, Punchestown has remained Sebden Steel’s flagship hospitality event, providing an important platform to engage with clients, colleagues, and industry partners.

The exciting 2026 Festival sponsorship holds particular significance as it celebrates Sebden Steel’s 30-year journey from an independent start-up in the 1990s to what is now now the largest privately owned mill-independent steel processors and stockholders of strip mill and reversing mill plate products in the UK & Ireland.  Sebden have a combined processing capacity in excess of 50,000 tonnes per month and sell over 300,000 tonnes of steel a year from seven strategically placed locations throughout Ireland and the UK.

Sebden Steel Managing Director Mark McCausland looked forward to the occasion: ” A thirty year anniversary in any walk of life is an occasion to be marked and celebrated as it is a culmination of hard work by many people. As Sebden Steel has grown over the years so too has our requirement to really look after our loyal customers and hard-working team. Punchestown has grown with us and we, but more importantly our guests, have had some memorable days there. When talk of an anniversary event came up, the natural choice was to enhance our Punchestown experience and the opportunity arose to sponsor on the day which will add a whole new dimension for our guests. We look forward to returning to Punchestown”.

Punchestown’s Leona Hughes welcomed the continued partnership and milestone sponsorship, noting Sebden Steel’s progression from hospitality clients to race sponsors as a reflection of the strong relationships and shared values built over many years: “Since day one it has been a pleasure to welcome the Mark and Loretta McCausland as clients at Punchestown. Sebden Steel is a serious operation and market leader so it is imperative that our team deliver both a hospitality and sponsorship experience that aligns with expectations. We are honoured to host the Sebden Steel 30-Years in Business Celebration Day.”

The Sebden Steel Celebrating 30-Years In Business Pro/Am Flat Race on Saturday 2nd May promises to be a fitting tribute to the company’s achievements and commitment to excellence, while further enhancing the Saturday programme at the 2026 Punchestown Festival — a highlight of the Irish sporting and social calendar.

ENDS

• Minimum race value increased to €20,000 across 7 races up from €15,000.
• Continued enhancements for the bumper programme which has produced graduates including 2025  El Cairos, Soldier In Milan, Koktail Brut, and King Rasko Grey.
• Punchestown continues to champion the traditional cross-country races recognising this as an essential part of Punchestown’s heritage since 1850.

• Open Grade 1’s: €300,000
• Novice Grade 1’s: €125,000
• Champion Bumper: €100,000
• Grade 3 Handicaps: €100,000
• Listed Handicaps: €75,000
• Minimum Race Value: €20,000