Press Release 14/02/2023 – Punchestown Racecourse today announced that new sponsor Concept Colours will join the action packed line up on Sunday 19th February at the home of Irish jump racing. The Concept Colours Rated Novice Chase will take place over two miles and offers a prize fund of €21,500.Concept Colours are the industry leader when it comes to painting and decorating contracts across multiple sectors including residential, commercial, education and special interest. With an impressive client base that lists Glenveagh, Cairn, Kingscroft, The Elliott Group, Bennett Construction, Sisk and Bam, the Wexford based firm have established themselves as the go to painting contractor in Ireland.
- Francin (FR) (JABerry)
- Gallyhill (GElliott)
- Hollow Games (GElliott)
- Indiana Jones (FR) (MFMorris)
- Politicise (NTSlevin)
- Wild Hunt (GB) (DGHogan)
Racing gets underway at 1.10pm on Sunday 19th September and in addition to the Concept Colours race features the QuinnBet Grand National Trial and ARKequine AquaTabs InLine P.P. Hogan Cross Country. Advance admission discount and complimentary racecards available at www.punchestown.com
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AQUATABS INLINE PARTNER WITH PUNCHESTOWN IN RACECOURSE FIRST
World’s leading water purification system becomes official water partner at the home of Irish jumps racing
MEDIA RELEASE TUESDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2023 – Aquatabs InLine, the world’s leading water purification system, is delighted to become the official water partner at Punchestown Racecourse following the installation of its closed-water system throughout the main and visiting stable yards in January this year.
To launch this unique partnership Aquatabs InLine will sponsor the famous P.P. Hogan Cross Country chase at the Grand National Trial Day on Sunday 19 February.
Punchestown Racecourse is the first track in Ireland to install Aquatabs’ InLine water system in the stable yards. The simple-to-install, low-cost, water purification system cleans a minimum of 360,000 litres of water and is the ideal solution for large race yards and race tracks.
Brought to the market by Kildare-based, equine solutions company, ARKequine, Aquatabs® is synonymous with supplying clean water around the world. Owned by Irish company Medentech, Aquatabs® kills microorganisms like viruses and bacteria commonly found in water and ensures Legionella is eliminated and biofilm remains under control.
ARKequine’s Kirsty McCann, Nutritional Manager, says “Water is very much the forgotten nutrient and we at ARKequine are working hard to change that. Our aim is to raise awareness of the importance of clean and plentiful water in racing and the home of Irish jumps racing is a great place to start that conversation ”.
Rosie Keary, Managing Director of Aquatabs InLine says “Aquatabs, a leading authority on human drinking water for nearly forty years are delighted to partner with ARKequine to bring the science and expertise behind our human drinking water brand to the equine sector. Sponsoring the famous P.P. Hogan Memorial chase in celebration of a unique partnership while highlighting the importance of clean, pure water makes for an auspicious beginning!
Leona Hughes, Sales & Sponsorship Manager at Punchestown says, “We are constantly looking for innovative ways to enhance and improve the race day experience at Punchestown for everyone from racegoers and industry staff to, in this case the stars of the show, the horses. A huge volume of water is used in the stable yard each race day so it is essential that we provide the best quality that we can and that is where the ARKequine’s Aquatabs InLine system comes into play”.
The ARKequine Aquatabs InLine PP Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase will be the opening contest on this high quality seven race card on Sunday 19th February. Runners and riders will make their way to the start of the famous three mile cross country course for a 1.10pm start time.
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Editor Notes:
- ARKequine is an innovative equine healthcare company based in Kildare, Ireland
- ARKequine is the exclusive distributor of Irelands’ water treatment system, Aquatabs, Germany’s derbymed nutritional supplements, Germany’s Derby’s horse-care products, high-performance nutritional feed and supplements from ACME in Italy, and hygiene products from Staldren in Denmark and Simply Steam in the UK
- ARKequine, Newbridge Industrial Estate, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, W12 YF63, Ireland.
- Phone: 045 433552 (IE) or 01292 800022 (UK) Email: enquiries@ark-equine.com
- ARKequine www.ark-equine.com
Tote Ireland Share Festive Cheer with Free Entry to New Years Eve at Punchestown
Punchestown Racecourse today announced that Tote Ireland are to spread festive cheer to one and all with complimentary entry to the popular New Year’s Eve race meeting at Punchestown on Saturday 31st December.
This will be the first in a three year deal that sees Ireland’s only pool betting operator for horse racing open the doors and welcome racegoers to the home of Irish jump racing for a free afternoon of great sport and festive entertainment. The complimentary entry is a further enhancement on Tote’s involvement at the popular meeting where in the past they have distributed free race cards on arrival. For the upcoming fixture on 31st December, in addition to no-fee entry, Tote Ireland also invite punters to join them in the Tote Hall for Spin the Wheel spot prize giveaways through the afternoon. Lots of prizes to be won the day such as Punchestown membership and race day tickets.
General Manager of Tote Ireland Ross Kierans expanded on the initiative: “Like so many involved in the racing industry, all the team at Tote Ireland were delighted to see racegoers return to track in 2022 and to close out the year with complimentary admission for all at Punchestown for their New Year’s Eve race meeting. We are already looking forward to an action-packed racing calendar for 2023 and extend best wishes to all our staff and customers this Christmas and for the New Year.”
Leona Hughes, Punchestown Sponsorship Manager said “The New Year’s Eve Countdown race meeting is a local favourite and racing tradition. There is a great atmosphere, everyone’s in good form, the Punchestown team meet and greet race goers with festive treats like mulled wine and mince pies on arrival. We all know that life has become expensive in recent times so this is a lovely way to say thank you to all those who have attended throughout the season and wish them well for the year ahead. Tote Ireland are a constant presence at Punchestown, as they are at every track around the country, and they share in the gesture of sincerely thanking everyone for their support. Now it’s our turn to thank Ross, Lynda and the Tote Ireland team for their continued support”.
Punchestown is proud to host the final race meeting in Ireland each year before passing the baton to our colleagues in Fairyhouse who raise the curtain the following day. Action at Punchestown on Free Tote New Years Eve meeting gets underway early with racing starting between 11.45am and 12 noon. Given the festive theme of the day the Race & Dine packages tend to be very popular so early booking is recommended. Please visit www.punchestown.com or Punchestown social media platforms for full information.
Back By Popular Demand: Up The Yard Challenge 2023
Punchestown racecourse is delighted to announce the return of the Up The Yard Challenge Race for Irish stable and stud staff on Sunday 19th February.
First introduced in 2017, the concept was to host a challenge race to provide an opportunity for stable and stud staff to achieve the ambition of riding not just on the a racecourse but t the home of Irish jump racing.
Event organiser and Punchestown Sponsorship Manager Leona Hughes explains the thinking behind the initiative: “Most who work in horse racing usually have a dream to ride in a race at some stage. Ireland is full of brilliant jockeys. It’s such a competitive industry and we all know some talented horse men and women who ride out every day but for whatever reason didn’t go on to become jockeys. The Up The Yard Challenge gives them a chance to take centre stage and show everyone what they can do.” Hughes continued “We encourage anyone who always wanted to ride on the track to check out the qualifying criteria and then be brave and get nominated!”
The Up The Yard Challenge will take place after the last official race on Sunday 19th February 2023 over a distance of around one mile and seven furlongs. Yards and studs around the country are asked to nominate riders that meet the criteria by 16th December 2022. From the nominees a final list of sixteen riders and four reserves will be selected. All selected riders must qualify to take part by completing a one-day charity race assessment at the RACE centre in Kildare. This is organised directly by Punchestown and the RACE team.
The inaugral running of the Up The Yard Challenge took place in 2017 was won by Louise Magee on Taglietelle representing the Gordon Elliott team. Camilla Sharples on Markhan landed the spoils the following year for the same Cullentra establishment with Jimmy Finn’s stable taking the 2019 honours.
The Up The Yard Challenge is part of Punchestown’s continued commitment to Irish Stable Staff as explained by Leona Hughes “We are delighted to bring back this race. We’ve had plenty of interest and enquiries over recent years but for obvious reasons we couldn’t hold the race until now. We work alongside the stable staff and wherever possible we would always try to source a sponsor for the stable yard canteen to ensure that everyone working that day gets a complimentary meal. In addition, we recently worked with Midland Travel who very generously sponsored an amazing prize of a trip to Paris next summer for someone working in the yard over the Winter festival weekend. At the festival Red Mills hosted pop-up interactive zones with prizes and giveaways in the yard. It’s all part of on-going programme which will hopefully include upgrades to facilities following our current major track project which is taking up available resources but we are always planning for the future here at Punchestown.”
Up The Yard Challenge Race Checklist
The Rider Criteria:
- Nominated riders must be 18 years of age and over.
- Nominated riders must not have ridden under rules on the track/point to point in any jurisdiction prior to the event.
- Riders must be 12st or under with an allowance of 5lbs for mares.
- From the nominees, twenty riders will be selected. There will be sixteen participants and four reserves.
- Riders must qualify to ride by passing a charity race one-day competency assessment in January at RACE in Kildare. This will be organised with the riders by Punchestown.
- Nominees must be submitted by email with sign off by the trainer whose yard the rider will represent.
Nominations (including name, date of birth, contact number, nominating yard) for riders that meet the above criteria must be submitted by Friday 16th December to Leona Hughes on lhughes@punchestown.com
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Up The Yard Challenge Race Checklist
Dates:
16 December – Submit eligible nominees to lhughes@punchestown.com
20 December – Notify 16 riders and 4 reserves who are drawn to take part
24 & 26 January – RACE assessments pre-arranged with riders by Punchestown
February – Riders to contact valets to arrange race safe standard equipment. Contact details supplied.
13 February 12 noon – Deadline for entries to lhughes@punchestown.com or 045 897704
17 February – Declarations
19 February – Up The Yard 2023
The Rider Criteria:
- Nominated riders must be 18 years of age and over.
- Nominated riders must not have ridden under rules on the track/point to point in any jurisdiction prior to the event.
- Riders must be 12st or under with an allowance of 5lbs for mares.
- From the nominees, twenty riders will be selected. There will be sixteen participants and four reserves.
- Riders must qualify to ride by passing a charity race one-day competency assessment in January at RACE in Kildare. This will be organised with the riders by Punchestown.
- Nominees must be submitted by email with sign off by the trainer whose yard the rider will represent.
Nominations (including name, date of birth, contact number, nominating yard) for riders that meet the above criteria must be submitted by Friday 16th December to Leona Hughes on lhughes@punchestown.com
Race Conditions
PUNCHESTOWN – SUNDAY, 19th FEBRUARY, 2023
CLOSING 12 NOON MONDAY 13th FEBRUARY
The Up The Yard Challenge Race
(This Race will adhere to the Rules of Racing)
For four years old and upwards which have run at least three times under the Rules of Racing or the I.N.H.S Rules, of which at least one of these runs must have been since 1st February, 2022 (Point to Point Steeplechases excluded)
About 1 mile 7 furlongs
Weights: 4-y-o 11st 11lbs
5-y-o and up 12st
Fillies allowed 5lbs
Penalties – (to count from 1st January, 2022)
Winner of a *race to carry 3lb extra for each race won.
(Maximum penalty 9lb)
*Including any race under any National Hunt Rules or Rules of Racing
Riders: To qualify as a Rider to participate in this race you must you must pass a Challenge Race one day Competency Assessment at R.A.C.E.
Riders shall not have ridden under any Rules of Racing in any jurisdiction previously on the racecourse to be eligible.
It is strictly subject to attaining the above qualifications that a Rider’s entry will be accepted.
N.B. The mandatory percentage deductions shall not apply to this race. A horse which has won a Private Sweepstakes shall not on that account incur a penalty or be debarred from claiming any allowance or from taking part in any race. Horses that run in this race do not lose their eligibility to run in Point-to-Point Steeplechases.
The winning Rider will receive a Perpetual Cup
The groom in charge of the winning horse will receive €100 and the groom in charge of the best turned out horse will receive €100
Please note that the Organising Committee reserve the right to accept or reject any application.
No horse shall be permitted to wear Blinkers, Visor, Hood, Eye Shield, Eyecover, Sheepskin Cheekpieces or any similar device.
Horses that require to be led to the start will not be permitted to take part.
NOT MORE THAN 16 RUNNERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO RUN IN THIS RACE. IN THE
Mullins six “all intended runners” in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown this weekend
A glittering array of talent looks set to line up in the inaugural Grade 1 hurdle of the season, with champion trainer Willie Mullins confirming that all six of his entrants “are intended runners” in Sunday’s Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (in memory of Michael Rafferty @AnalogsDaughtr), the feature of Punchestown’s weekend Winter Festival.
That provides the mouth-watering prospect of Closutton’s highly-touted Triumph Hurdle winner, Vauban taking on his Ballymore Novice Hurdle-winning comrade Sir Gerhard in the opening Grade 1 hurdle of the season. Mullins could also unleash the Punchestown Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle winner State Man, with the trio all representing different owners.
As well as the young gun Vauban, the only four-year-old in the field, Rich Ricci may have his famous pink and lime green spotted colours carried by previous Unibet Morgiana Hurdle winners Saldier and Sharjah, the latter triumphing here in 2018 and 2021 and his stablemate having scored in 2019. The undoubtedly classy Vauban is embarking on a Champion Hurdle path that few Triumph Hurdle winners can navigate but Sunday’s Punchestown highlight is the obvious starting point. “We are always well represented in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle because it comes at a perfect time in the calendar for our horses,” Mullins said. “It allows us to go on to Christmas and continue the season from there then before we come back to Punchestown in April.”
Of his runners, Mullins added: “At this stage, all six are intended runners. Vauban is an exciting prospect after his win in the Triumph Hurdle last year but it is difficult for four-year-olds to win this race. I said if we’re going to make a Champion Hurdle horse out of him then let him take on good horses in the Morgiana.
“I’m going back over hurdles with Saldier for the first time in a while, when he disappointed at Gowran Park last February and he’s bound to be a little ring rusty. “Like Saldier, Sharjah won the race before and I think the ground is going to suit him so we’re looking forward to getting his season going after missing the spring following his fourth Matheson at Leopardstown. “Sir Gerhard has been doing things right at home. I’m very happy with him, while State Man is a horse that’s been improving all through last season. If he keeps improving, he’s the right age to make it into the Champion Hurdle field.”
The Mullins sextet is completed by Echoes In Rain, herself a course and distance winner at Peerless Punchestown, having won the 2021 Grade 1 eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle. “Echoes In Rain runs well around Punchestown. The two miles here might be a little sharp for her,” the champion trainer concluded.
The Unibet Morgiana Hurdle takes place on Sunday 20th November. Advance booking tickets with €5pp discount and free racecard are on sale until the day before your selected race meeting. There will be live music, bus transfers after racing, free kids entertainment and delicious food options across the weekend. Visit www.punchestown.com/fixtures/
Punchestown racecourse are delighted to welcome Kildare based landscaping firm Oak Lodge to the sponsorship panel ahead of the 2022 Punchestown Winter Festival on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November.
The Oak Lodge Landscapes Craddockstown Novice Chase takes centre stage on the opening day of the winter feature at the home of Irish jump racing. The grade two contest over two miles holds a €36,500 prize fund and has been a happy hunting ground for high quality champion chase contenders. Previous winners include the Alan & Ann Pott’s owned top class duo Sizing John and Sizing Europe with the great Moscow Flyer featuring even further back in the roll of honour.
Whilst Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead has an excellent strike rate in the Oak Lodge Landscape Chase, it is Gordon Elliott who will bid for a hat trick of wins having landed the spoils with Felix Desjy and Reviere D’etel in 2020 and 2021.
The Oak Lodge Landscape connection is a local one with founders and directors Cathal and Samantha Kavanagh based in the Naas area. Oak Lodge was established over 20 years ago and the family run firm employs five team members with this number fluctuating greatly during the busy summer months. Originally domestic and private projects accounted for a majority of the business however, as owner Cathal Kavanagh explains, economics intervened: “During the financial crash people’s priorities changed and gardens were no longer high up on the list of household spending. Like many businesses we had to adapt to survive and ever since our company has strived in the commercial landscape maintenance market. We have national retail clients who’s properties we manage in addition to business parks and commercial settings alongside our domestic services”.
Offering some background to today’s sponsorship announcement Kavanagh continued: “I have been racing at Punchestown for as long as I can remember. It is a place that is close to us both literally and in the sense that we’ve enjoyed many great day’s there through the years. Getting involved and sponsoring was something I’ve always intended to do and now we’ve made it happen. We look forward to enjoying a Punchestown race day from a different angle when the Oak Lodge Landscapes Chase gets underway”.
Punchestown Sponsorship Manager Leona Hughes welcomed the Oak Lodge Landscapes news: “Cathal, Samantha and the Oak Lodge team are a wonderful addition to the Punchestown sponsorship profile and we look forward to partnering with them as they step into a sponsorship role here. Local business and community is a fundamental part of the Punchestown ethos and it is all the more special when the people involved have a personal connection to this special place. We thank Oak Lodge Landscapes for the wonderful support and look forward to working alongside them to provide a memorable Punchestown experience”.
The Punchestown Winter Festival takes place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November. In addition to the grade one Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and the grade two Oak Lodge Landscapes Craddockstown Chase there is an excellent support card of listed, graded and cross country action on offer across the two days. Racegoers of all ages are catered for with complimentary children’s play area for families however, those that may have outgrown the face painting stage can enjoy delicious dining, live music and bus transfers to Naas after racing. With a keen focus on value, the home of Irish jump racing is offering discounts and complimentary race cards for those who book in advance on www.punchestown.com
The first race goes to post approx 12 noon Saturday and 11.45 Sunday. gates and public dining venues open one and a half hours before racing.
**ENDS**
For further information please contact:
Shona Dreaper,
Punchestown Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: +353 (0) 45 897704 or email info@punchestown.com
Osprey Hotel Continue Punchestown Festival Partnership and Entertainment Programme
With just eight weeks to go to the 2020 Punchestown Festival the racecourse team are excited to continue our association with official accommodation partner Osprey Hotel. Launched at the 2019 festival, the centre piece of the partnership, Osprey Avenue, is back for the 2020 event taking place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May. Osprey Avenue is a boutique shopping venue with a wonderful selection of fashion, art, millinery and accessories on offer across all five days of the event.
Further to the success of the partnership last year Osprey Hotel are pulling out all the stops and providing a fantastic week of hospitality and entertainment both in advance of and after racing each day at the four star venue located in Devoy Quarter, Naas. Back for 2020 is the very appetising Bottomless Bubbles Brunch hosted in the stylish Herald & Devoy restaurant. This package is priced at €32 per person and can be pre-booked with the hotel or via eventbrite. There will be two sittings at 11.30am and 1.30pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday with a complimentary shuttle bus service to solve any transport queries.
On Tuesday through to Friday from 12.30pm they will have well known tipsters on hand to provide their expert opinions on all the weeks racing, Tuesday and Wednesday will see Katie Walsh and top jockey Robert ‘Puppy’ Power along with Boylesports Leon Blanche will be in Osprey Bar on Thursday and Friday.
Perhaps the highlight of Osprey Hotel’s action packed entertainment programme will take place on Friday 1st May when the Ultimate Festival Finale Party will entertain a full house of festival goers. Guest D.J’s and the ever popular Manilla Strings will entertain in the lobby while the ticket only Punchestown Party featuring the massively well known Springbreak, fresh from supporting Cher in Belfast will take place in the brand new Osprey ballroom.
The ballroom has recently underwent a massive refurbishment with an investment of €800k which will only add to the atmosphere.
Looking forward to an exciting festival week Osprey Sales and Marketing Manager Catherine Bunn said “We are so thrilled to be back with Osprey Avenue and a preferred sponsor with Punchestown again for 2020, it really was a no brainer on our part following the success of last year. Our on-course presence with Osprey Avenue together with pre and post racing entertainment means Osprey will be your one stop Festival venue. The fact we have just finished a refurbishment of our ballroom with an investment of €800K will really add to the finale night, if that’s even possible. Adding a well-known band such as Springbreak who have a fantastic following already to the mix is an added bonus. I hope everyone is ready for a fun packed few days of racing, music, delicious food and fun party atmosphere!”
Janet Creighton, Punchestown Commercial Manager welcomed Osprey Hotel “We look forward to welcoming around 130,000 visitors to Punchestown in just eight weeks time and whilst we can do our best to ensure they have a great day at the track it is our hotel partners that play an intrinsic role by providing top class hospitality before and after racing. Osprey Hotel is a wonderful venue located just minutes from Punchestown and their festival entertainment programme is packed to the brim. Having toured the Osprey Spa it is somewhere I will definitely be visiting for a treat after a hectic festival week!”
For full details of the Osprey Hotel Festival schedule please visit https://www.ospreyhotel.ie/events/punchestown-festival or call +353 (0)45 881111. The Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May
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