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The 2026 Up The Yard Stable Staff Challenge will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd February.

Please attend to support the brilliant people who do so much behind the scenes.

2026 Up The Yard Riders:

Name Nominating Yard
1 Marchel De Courcey Gordon Elliott
2 Shane Costello Norman Lee
3 Abbie Clancy Marie Harding
4 Aaron Doyle Liam O’Brien
5 Lexie Kenrick Martin Brassil
6 Rebecca Stack Sonny Carey
7 Jack Jaswant Singh Eamon Delaney
8 Fergus Gallagher Eddie & Patrick Harty
9 Katie Walsh Terence O’Brien
10 Paul Coady David Harry Kelly
11 Cait Dooley Liam Cusack
12 Sophie McDonnell Mark Molloy
13 Hannah Rafferty Dick Brabazon
14 Natalia Kubacka Willie Mullins
15 Ciara Maguire Conor O’Dwyer
16 Simona Nevidalova Paul Nolan

 

What’s New for 2026?

Rider Criteria & Nominations

Punchestown Tuesday December 9 transferred to Thursday December 11

Following the cancellation of the Punchestown meeting scheduled for today, Tuesday December 9 due to an orange status wind warning, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has announced that this meeting will now take place this Thursday, December 11.

Declarations and rider bookings stand for this meeting, and the time of the first race remains at 11:50am.

Punchestown Racecourse is delighted to confirm the return of the Up The Yard Challenge Race for Irish stable and stud staff on bank holiday Monday, 2nd February 2026. Now firmly established since its launch in 2017, the race continues to shine a spotlight on the skilled riders who form the backbone of the racing and breeding industries.

The initiative was created to give yard and stud staff, many of whom ride out daily and play a crucial role in the sport, the chance to compete at the home of Irish jumps.

Punchestown Sponsorship Manager and event organiser Leona Hughes said:
“Anyone working in this industry knows the standard of riding talent that exists in yards and studs across the country. These riders are up with the dawn, producing young horses, and keeping the whole operation moving. This race is about giving them their moment on a major stage. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the buzz of the Punchestown straight with a crowd behind you, now is the time to get your name in.”

The 2026 running will take place after the final official race and will be contested over approximately one mile and seven furlongs. Yards and studs nationwide are invited to submit nominations by Monday 15th December 2025.

What’s New for 2026?

Rider Criteria & Nominations

Full List Of Riders:

Name Nominating Yard
1 Marchel De Courcey Philip Rothwell
2 Shane Costello Norman Lee
3 Abbie Clancy Marie Harding
4 Aaron Doyle Liam O’Brien
5 Lexie Kenrick Martin Brassil
6 Rebecca Stack Sonny Carey
7 Jack Jaswant Singh Eamon Delaney
8 Fergus Gallagher Eddie & Patrick Harty
9 Katie Walsh Terence O’Brien
10 Paul Coady David Harry Kelly
11 Cait Dooley Liam Cusack
12 Sophie McDonnell Mark Molloy
13 Hannah Rafferty Dick Brabazon
14 Natalia Kubacka Willie Mullins
15 Ciara Maguire Conor O’Dwyer
16 Simona Nevidalova Paul Nolan

 

 

Punchestown Launch the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series for 2025–2026

€50,000 Bonus for Winning Connections Plus €50,000 in Free Bets for Matchbook users

 

Punchestown Racecourse, in partnership with Matchbook Betting Exchange, is proud to announce the launch of the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series for the 2025-2026 Jump Season.

This initiative offers a €50,000 bonus to the first horse that wins a designated qualifier and subsequently captures a Grade 1 at the 2026 Punchestown Festival. In addition, Matchbook will reward existing Matchbook users with €50,000 worth of free bets.

Matchbook offers users a premier horse racing betting experience and is industry renowned for best odds across Irish Racing. The Betting Exchange will sponsor 28 races at Punchestown this season including three graded contests. This marks one of the largest annual sponsorship commitments at the ‘Home of Irish Jumps’. The partnership also includes Day 2 of the Punchestown Premiere Weekend this Sunday, 23rd November, where Matchbook sponsor the GR2 Matchbook Betting Exchange Craddockstown Novice Chase. Based in Cork, the partnership is evidence of Matchbook’s commitment to supporting Irish Horse Racing.

Early Qualifiers Already Deliver Promising Contenders

The Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series is built around twelve targeted maiden hurdle and bumper qualifiers, each designed to showcase emerging talent on the road to later Spring Festivals including the 2026 Punchestown Festival.

The opening two qualifiers staged last week at Punchestown produced highly impressive winners in Koktail Brut and Sopelana, both of whom now become the first horses eligible for the €50,000 bonus.

Ronan McDonagh of Matchbook Betting Exchange, said:

“We’re extremely proud to launch the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series and deepen our involvement in Irish jump racing. The €50,000 bonus provides a meaningful, season-long target for connections, while the €50,000 in free bets allows us to reward our loyal Matchbook users. Punchestown is a world-class racing venue and supporting 28 races here including three graded events is a natural fit for us. We are particularly excited to sponsor the GR2 Craddockstown Novice Chase this Sunday as part of our Punchestown Premiere Weekend involvement.”

Leona Hughes at Punchestown Racecourse, said:

“The Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Bonus Series is exactly the type of creative, high-impact initiative that elevates our season. It not only incentivises connections but engages the wider racing audience as well. Early winners Koktail Brut and Sopelana have set the bar high, and we look forward to the exciting season ahead. We sincerely thank Matchbook for their substantial and exciting support, including their sponsorship of the GR2 Craddockstown Novice Chase this Sunday.”

MATCHBOOK 50/50 GRADUATION BONUS SERIES – QUALIFIERS

13 November

9 December – Re-scheduled to 11 December

12 January

26 January

18 February

For more information on the Matchbook 50/50 Graduation Series, please visit insights.matchbook.com.

ENDS

 

 

The Punchestown Premiere Weekend

Saturday 22 &  Sunday 23 November

The Premiere Weekend is probably the biggest early season race meeting in Ireland with two days of top class racing featuring a grade one double header. On Saturday the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle will welcome the reigning and potential champion hurdlers. Sunday features the very prestigious Grade one John Durkan Memorial Chase whilst the supporting cast of listed, graded and cross country racing runs across the weekend. Throw in great bars, live music, free kids stuff, tasty food and free bus to Naas and your weekend is sorted.

TIMES  

TICKETS – BOOK HERE

TRANSPORT:  

Free Naas Shuttle Bus Service

Return Dublin City Service

 

FOOD & FACILITIES 

Dress up or dress down.

Make it special and pre-book our famous Race & Dine packages with truly delicious seasonal food and fantastic views of the action.

Keep it casual and enjoy tasty dishes in The Feedroom, Hay cafe or food trucks with a really good selection of hot or cold dishes and snacks along with great home bakes and great coffee. No booking necessary.

There are no enclosures at Punchestown. You can enjoy all the facilities except the private hospitality areas. We have great bars, cafes and plenty of seating and screens.

 

FAMILY FRIENDLY WEEKEND 

MUSIC, SHOPPING & MORE

 

Stars to Shine at Punchestown Premiere Weekend

Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November 2025

 

Punchestown Racecourse is gearing up for an unmissable two days of top-class jump racing as the Punchestown Premiere Weekend returns on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November. The highlight fixture will showcase the very best of Irish jumps racing, featuring the highly anticipated Grade One double header – the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and the John Durkan Memorial Chase.

The Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, an integral early-season test for the country’s leading hurdlers, will take centre stage on Saturday. A new name is set to enter the fold following news that reigning champion State Man is out of action for the season due to injury. His absence will open the door to the next generation with entries featuring the unbeaten, Donnelly owned, Anzadam, the Gordon Elliott trained Galway hurdle winner Ndaawi, Aintree winner Salvator Mundi, Punchestown festival winner Irancy and the potential for a Lossiemouth reroute to Punchestown.

Sunday’s card is headlined by the John Durkan Memorial Chase, a race steeped in quality and history. This grade one contest over two and a half miles produced what was considered a race of the season last year with Fact To File galloping to victory. Ireland’s top trainers have entered a galaxy of stars at early closing stage with 44 grade 1 wins between them. Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Inothewayurthinkin, reigning Punchestown Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, Grand National hero Nick Rockett, 2023 Durkan winner Fastorslow and last year’s race winner Fact To File form the foundation of an extremely talented cast.

Irish and British champion trainer Willie Mullins remarked on the importance of the Durkan chase: “I think this years Durkan will be the same in that all the ones you hope and expect to see will pitch up there including Fact To File who is in great shape. He was very good in the race last year and I imagine that’s where he’ll start again.

Mullins continued: “There’s few options as good for those horses and it’s a lovely big galloping track so it’s the obvious choice. They’re ready to go”.

Beyond the track, the Punchestown Premiere Weekend offers that friendly, fun atmosphere that Punchestown is synonymous with. Race goers of all ages can expect a raft of entertainment with free kids festive fun in The Playroom, a chance to win a trip to Lapland on Sunday along with the Laura Lynn Santa Truck visit. For the bigger kids there will be live music after racing, packed restaurants, shopping and buzzing bars with a free shuttle bus to and from Naas.

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown Racecourse CEO said: “We had a vision for The Premiere Weekend and now in it’s third year it has exceeded expectations. We’re proud to bring together racing fans, newcomers, families, and the racing community from near and far for what’s become one of the highlights of the winter calendar. The cross section of demographic is proof that quality sport, entertainment and facilities at the right price is appreciated and will be supported. We are all set for a very special weekend and look forward to welcoming everyone back to Punchestown”.

Tickets, hospitality packages, and full event details are now available at www.punchestown.com

**ENDS**

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

 

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.

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

TRM Equine Nutrition Salute Stable Staff with Punchestown Season Best Turned Out Series

Media Release Monday 13th October 2025: As the jump racing season gets underway the skill, dedication and professionalism of Ireland’s stable staff will be in the spotlight as TRM Equine Nutrition, a global leader in equine supplements, partners with Punchestown Racecourse to launch the ‘Saddled In Style’ Best Turned Out Series for the 2025/2026 jumps season.
The series will run across all 20 fixtures at Punchestown between October and June, including the five-day Punchestown Festival in April. At each fixture, the Best Turned Out award of each race will earn points toward the season-long leaderboard, with the overall winning yard crowned at the final meeting on Sunday 7th June 2026.
Thanks to TRM Nutrition, the winning yard will receive a €1,000 TRM voucher, TRM-branded gear and a celebratory breakfast morning delivered to their stables, recognising the exceptional work of the teams who care for and present horses at the highest standards.

TRM is a global brand trusted in over 90 countries, providing world-class nutritional supplements and healthcare products for racehorses, sport horses and a wide range of performance and leisure horses. Despite its international reach, TRM remains proudly rooted in their county Kildare base. Punchestown staff who visited the Newbridge factory were impressed by the cutting-edge systems in place to guarantee the quality, integrity, and quantity of every product leaving the facility. TRM also adapts its products and branding for each jurisdiction it enters, ensuring local relevance while maintaining global standards.

Enda Kelly, TRM Chief Commercial Officer, said: TRM are thrilled to team up with Punchestown for the forthcoming season. National hunt racing, breeding and its heritage are a huge part of our core business dating back over 35 years of TRM’s history, and it is a wonderful opportunity to give something small back through this innovative sponsorship”.

Janet Creighton of Punchestown also added: “Punchestown has always valued the massive contribution made by stable staff. The annual Up The Yard Stud & Stable Staff Race is now established as a firm favourite and a highlight of the season. The TRM Best Turned Out Series now extends that recognition across all fixtures, rewarding the teams whose work is essential to Irish racing.”
The Punchestown season gets underway on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th October before rolling on to the early season highlight of The Premiere Weekend on 22nd and 23rd November.

FULL LEADERBOARD

Gordon Elliott 10
P J Rothwell 6
W P Mullins 6
Gavin Cromwell 4
Noel Meade 4
Dermot McLoughlin 3
C Byrnes 2
Cian Collins 2
Eoin Griffin 2
Ian Donoghue 2
James Joseph Mangan 2
Padraig Roche 2
Peter Fahey 2
Ross O’Sullivan 2
Andrew McNamara 1
Ciaran Murphy 1
Conor O’Dwyer 1
David H Kelly 1
Denis Paul Murphy 1
Gerard Keane 1
Henry De Bromhead 1
J A Nash 1
J P Dempsey 1
James Fahey 1
John Ryan 1
Joseph G Murphy 1
M K Flannery 1
Ms Claire O’Connell 1
Ms Margaret Mullins 1
Paul Stafford 1
T M Walsh 1
Thomas Mullins 1

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.