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RECORD €3.6 MILLION PRIZE FUND ANNOUNCED FOR 2026 PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL

Increase of €167,500 with minimum values now at €20,000.
Five Handicaps up from €50,000 to €75,000
Introduction of Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Bonus Series
Update on Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series
**  DOWNLOAD 2026 FESTIVAL RACING PROGRAMME **
 

Media Release: March  2026 – With just eight weeks to the upcoming Punchestown Festival the home of Irish jump racing today announced a record-breaking total prize fund of €3,600,000 for the 2026 renewal, taking place Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May.

This consecutive increase of funds marks the highest level of prize money in the Festival’s history. The increase further reinforces the racecourse of the year’s position as the premier Irish jump racing fixture and a seasonal target for the best of Irish and British racing.

The continuous growth in prize money is part of a long-term strategic plan to keep Punchestown ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive Irish and UK racing calendar. By investing in record-level funds, the Festival rewards current participants, attracts future talent, and supports the wider racing and breeding industry.

The 2025 Festival highlighted the importance of this investment, with 19 different winning trainers and 30 winning owners, demonstrating the depth and competitiveness of the fields. Each season a concerted effort to focus on a particular category has benefited a cross-sector of races. In recent years, the mid-level handicap hurdlers benefited from the introduction of the €100,000 Albert Bartlett Final which has met and fulfilled the objective with syndicates and partnership’s enjoying their moment in the Punchestown Festival spotlight. This series has also greatly  assisted in restoring numbers of UK visitors with 66 overseas runners and eight UK trained winners in 2025.

The Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Bonus Series is set to add an exciting new dimension to the 2026 Punchestown Festival, with a remarkable bonus valued at €100,000 on offer. This initiative offers a €50,000 bonus to the first horse that wins a designated qualifier (12 in total) and subsequently is the first of those qualifiers to capture a Grade 1 at the 2026 Punchestown Festival. In addition, Matchbook will reward existing Matchbook users with €50,000 worth of free bets. Leading contenders to land the bonus include Leader D’allier, How’s Hannah, Koktail Brut & The Passing Wife.

Punchestown Racing Manager Richie Galway discussed the on-going strategy:  “Punchestown has always set the standard in offering some of the most competitive and rewarding racing in Ireland. With a record prize fund, we are reaffirming our commitment to excellence and ensuring the Festival continues to attract the very best horses, trainers, and owners from Ireland and the UK. We continue to work closely with the HRI team who support our shared aims with regard to improvements of Festival prize money and racing programme”

Key Prize Money Increases for 2026

Five €75,000 handicaps up from €50,000:

  • 2m Handicap Hurdle (150=11st 12lbs)– The Killashee Hotel (Tuesday)
  • 2m Handicap Chase (150=11st 12lbs)  – Frontline Security (Thursday)
  • 3m Handicap Hurdle (145= 11st 12lbs)– The Conway Piling (Thursday)
  • 3m Handicap Chase (0-150) – Palmerstown Pat Taaffe (Saturday)
  • 3m7f Handicap Chase (Rated 0-145)  (Saturday)
2026 Punchestown Festival Prize Fund Breakdown

The record prize fund ensures that the Punchestown Festival continues to reward excellence and whilst attracting the biggest names in jump racing, the programme provides opportunities for all disciplines and levels to have stage time  at the most prestigious jump racing festival in Ireland.

The 2026 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May 2026. 12 Grade one races close on Wednesday 8th April with a further four races closing on 20th April.

*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

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