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

Punchestown crowned Irish Racecourse of The Year at a prestigious Horse Racing Ireland awards ceremony on Monday 8th December.

In a star-studded event held in Dublin’s historic Round Room at the Mansion House, the home of Irish Jump Racing regained the title as racecourse of the year.

The racecourse category is awarded based on public votes, combined with votes from each of Ireland’s 26 racecourses and a select Horse Racing Ireland committee with a focus on sustainability.

Punchestown was amongst great company with the winners list including Galopin Des Champs, Willie and Patrick Mullins and the now iconic Rachael Blackmore.

Speaking on behalf of the team and directors Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill said: “By any measure 2025 was an exceptional year at Punchestown. Our festival was a true celebration of our sport with amazing stories, huge crowds, great results, wonderful atmosphere all in beautiful sunshine. The festival may be a highlight but throughout the year we have great days at Punchestown and we really mean it when we say that it’s the people that make the place. The racecourse is the stage for the end result of so many peoples and horses efforts. Now we need to continue to improve, build on what we have try to hold onto the trophy!”

The ten winners at the 23rd Horse Racing Ireland Awards were:

Contribution to the Industry Rachael Blackmore
Racecourse of the Year Punchestown Racecourse
Flat Award Dylan Browne McMonagle
National Hunt Award Willie Mullins
Flat Achievement Award Joseph Murphy
National Hunt Achievement Award Patrick Mullins
Emerging Talent Award Nicola Burns
Point-to-Point Award Sam Curling
Ride of the Year Award Alan O’Sullivan on Filey Bay at Galway
Horse of the Year Galopin Des Champs / Ethical Diamond

The €100,000 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Launches at Punchestown Premiere Weekend 

This will be the third running of the series with both Scotland and England on the scoreboard. 

“Punchestown is the only place I want to be again!” – 2025 Winning Trainer Mike Smith

 QUALIFIED HORSES HERE

The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series returns for the 2025/26 jump racing season, marking the third consecutive year of the popular cross channel, multi-region series. Supported by Albert Bartlett, the UK’s leading producer of potato products, the series continues to bring together horses, trainers and owners across England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Twelve qualifiers will get underway on the opening day of Punchestown Premiere Weekend, 22 November before embarking on a tour of the five regions ultimately leading to the €100,000 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final on Tuesday 28th April 2026, the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.

Albert Bartlett Chairman Ronnie Bartlett outlined the key driver behind their support of the series “The key objective of the series is to encourage travel, cohesion and alignment throughout jump racing in the UK and Ireland with the exciting prospect of horses trained and owned throughout the regions aiming to compete at the Punchestown Festival. 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 fulfilling, memorable and entertaining days for race fans to enjoy and that’s what it is all about.”

The 2025 renewal proved a landmark moment, with an unprecedented ten UK-trained runners travelling to Punchestown for the final – a record level of participation that highlights the growing appeal of the series.

Now entering its third year, Ireland are still seeking their first victory with England and Scotland sharing one win apiece following successes for Herefordshire trainer Tom Lacey (2024) and Ayrshire trainer Mike Smith (2025).

Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Details

 Each qualifier will be a hurdle race run over a distance 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 improving horses to remain eligible as their handicap marks rise through the season.
• 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 Final will be run over two miles four furlongs at the 2026 Punchestown Festival.
• The series will once again be hosted in association with leading tracks across England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
• The 2025/26 series launches on Punchestown Premiere Weekend, Saturday 22nd November 2025, and culminates on Tuesday 28th April 2026, the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.

2025/26 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifiers

22/11/2026     Punchestown Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st 12lbs)

11/ 01/2026     Punchestown Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st 12lbs)

22/01/2026     Huntingdon – 2m4f Handicap Hurdle (0-115)

25/01/2026     Naas– 2m4f Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st 12lbs)

NEW DATE 27/01/2026     Chepstow – 2m3.5f Handicap Hurdle (0-125)

13/02/2026     Kelso– 2m6f Handicap Hurdle (0-120)

14/02/2026     Gowran Park– 2m4f Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st 12lbs)

25/02/2026     Wincanton– 2m5f Handicap Hurdle (0-115)

06/03/2026     Ayr– 2m4f Handicap Hurdle (0-115)

17/03/2026     Down Royal– 2m4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st 12lbs)

19/03/2026     Cork– 2m4f Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st 12lbs)

27/03/2026      Wetherby– 2m5f Handicap Hurdle (0-120)

For further information contact Sean Crowe, Punchestown Racing Department – info@punchestown.com

Winners of the famous Velka Pardubicka from outside the Czech Republic has been as rare as hen’s teeth in the past 30 years, but Stumptown leads the charge to become the first ever Irish-trained winner of the race on Sunday since its creation in 1874.

The winner of cross country races at Cheltenham and Punchestown is one of three declarations for the race trained outside the Czech Republic, looking to break a home-trained stranglehold on the race. It’s A Snip in 1995, and before that, Stephen’s Society in 1973, are two in just seven foreign-trained winners of the race in 60 years.
Gavin Cromwell, whose expertise spans major Flat races as much as the top echelon of Jumping, reported Stumptown to have set off for Pardubice on Monday, and will join him there for Sunday’s race, his first visit with a runner, although he attended as a spectator 18 years ago.

“We’re delighted to have a runner. It’s a unique discipline and some stuff at Pardubice will be new to my horse. If he takes to it, he’ll take some beating,” he reported today. Owners, the Furze Bush Syndicate, led by Ger Teahon, will be in vociferous support of jockey Keith Donoughue, who has an outstanding record in cross country events.
The Irish challenge is completed by Peter Maher’s Cavalry Master and a late purchase, trained by Mrs Arthur Moore, in Gentleman de Reve. Cavalry Master, who joined Peter Maher from Gordon Elliott last January, has been well beaten and pulled up in two outings over the banks course at Punchestown and ridden by Francis O’Keefe. Gentleman de Reve is a different kettle of fish altogether.

The French-bred has been running in the best cross country company under the guidance of Emmanuel Clayeux. Six sporting US owners, led by Dixon Stroud, one of the leading US timber race owners, tasked their Maryland trainer, Joe Davies, to find a horse, to be ridden by son Teddy, who is diverting from University studies this weekend to take the mount, and has already tasted big race success in the 2024 Maryland Hunt Cup. He pulled up in the Czech race last year a mile from home after his horse blew up. Co-owners Sam Slater, Charles Noell, Victoria Crawford, Mary Charlotte Parr and Dann Colhoun will travel from Baltimore later this week.

Gentleman de Reve is not eligible to run in US jump races, so will lodge with Peter Maher after the race with a view to taking in cross country races at Punchestown and possibly Cheltenham. Expect him to figure in Crystal Cup standings as the series develops.

“These are a group of great sporting owners,” reported Joe Davies. “Dixon set his heart on the Velka some time back, and this is our second attempt. I guess if you’re fishing for Moby Dick, best bring the tartare sauce.” American parlance for fancying their chances, we think.
But if the English-speaking raiders think this will be an easy task, they are sorely mistaken. The entire Czech steeplechase calendar is built around qualifying for this 4 1/2m contest, so no surprise that course and distance winners do well here.

The home team is led by Klarc Kent, a length second to Captain Cody in the Scottish National last April when trained by Willie Mullins. Since purchased by Jiří Charvát, Chair of the Czech Jockey Club and owner of Most Racecourse, an hour north west of Prague, his single race over cross country obstacles to date was disappointing, giving him ground to make up on Dulcar de Sivola and Stormmy, but if that experience has taught him how to deal with the wide variety of fences this discipline presents, his rating should put him in with a strong chance.
Two of last year’s first three line up again for a race in which 4 horses have won on 3 or more consecutive occasions since 1987, the most recent being Orphée des Blins in 2014. Last year’s dead heat winner Sexy Lord, trained by Martina Růžičková, has enjoyed a near perfect prep, winning at Pardubice over 5,800m in June with several of Sunday’s runners behind, and a length second to Chelmsford in an identical race in August. The gelding has the beating of Cuwall, Lost, Dumon du Roclay and Zarate on the form of those races. Zarate is one of two mounts James Best has picked up at Pardubice.

Eight year old High In The Sky hasn’t won for trainer Dalibor Török since October ’23, finishing a never-challenging second in his qualifying race at the start of September. Charyjape also has plenty to prove against Dulcar de Sivola on the form of their last meeting here in early September. Araucarias was an 8l second to the French-bred on that occasion too.
The Velka Pardubicka, now in its 135th year, throws up occasional surprising results in the way Aintree used to before modification of the fences turned it into a fairly orthodox, albeit very valuable, handicap. As a conditions race, all bar the mare, Lost, carry 70kg, lending the advantage to those familiar with both the obstacles and course. Stumptown is however, more highly rated than any of the other runners, and with luck in running, should prevail over Sexy Lord with Zarate fancied to fill the minor placings.