To the staff of Punchestown Racecourse,
On behalf of myself, my husband Jim, and our three children, George, Olivia and Grace, we would like to thank you most sincerely for sending us to Lapland last Saturday, the 13th of December.
George was the lucky boy from Two Mile House National School whose Golden Ticket was pulled from the hat at Punchestown Premiere Weekend. He won an all-expenses-paid day trip to Lapland in Finland. Having his name called felt like a Christmas miracle — a truly wonderful thing to happen to our family — and we were filled with excitement and gratitude from that moment on.
We were even excited for our 3.00am wake-up call on Saturday morning! I would describe the day as a Magical Marathon — 21 hours of constant movement, filled with truly magical moments.
We flew with TUI, who had chartered the flight to Kittilä in northern Finland. The flight lasted over three hours, and we disembarked into a very unfamiliar world. The temperature was -22°C. My nose hair froze as I breathed in, and the cold crept up the legs of my jeans — a dry cold unlike anything we experience in Ireland. It was dusky even at 1 o’clock local time. The trees were covered in snow, and the surroundings were quiet and beautiful. Santa’s elves were everywhere, spreading cheer and encouraging us along.
On arrival, we had to layer up to protect ourselves. We were warned that it was particularly cold, even by local standards — snowing and breezy — but the suits we were given worked a charm.
We got to meet Santa, and we asked him to help Punchestown win Racecourse of the Year. He said he would. We also told him how excited all the boys and girls from Punchestown and Two Mile House are for his visit next week and sent him their love.
Throughout the day we enjoyed so many incredible experiences: a reindeer ride, a husky sleigh, sledding down snow slopes, snowball fights with the elves, cookie decorating, warming up by cosy fires and even riding a snowmobile.
The day was made up of beautiful moments that will never be forgotten. The children loved every part of it — even the long flights, the tiredness & the cold.
Punchestown has played an important role in my family’s history. My grandmother and grandfather: Maura and Michael Burke, leased land in Punchestown from Mrs. Arthur Moore during the 1980s and 1990s.
As a Two Mile House girl, Punchestown has been a constant in my life from early childhood to the present day. When I was in primary school, we had three days off during the Punchestown Festival every year. My extended family and I loved Punchestown week and always attended at least one day. We would be given a pound by my grandmother and spend hours on the hurdy-gurdys going back and forth to our family.
I celebrated my hen party at Punchestown, and my husband and family attend the New Year’s Eve meeting every year.
Punchestown generously donated money to my brother, Adam Burke, in 2017, and I attended with him on the morning it was presented to him by Dick O’ Sullivan and Snowball Pearce. We celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday of Premiere weekend in the private suites and were so well looked after by your staff.
My aunt Helen Smullen and cousins Ciara, Sinead and Eimear Smullen rode in the charity race at the Punchestown festival over a number of years.
The racecourse is interlinked with so many of our family traditions, and now we bring our own children to Punchestown annually as well.
Congratulations on winning Racecourse of the Year — it is so richly deserved. The racecourse is such an important part of many local people’s lives. It’s a happy place for us where we celebrate, be together and feel at home.
Thank you again for an experience our family will treasure forever.
With sincere thanks,
Kate Eustace & Family
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**