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
- First Race – 11.30 (Saturday) 11.43 (Sunday)
- Last Race – 3.25 (Saturday) 3.35 (Sunday)
- Gates – 10am both days
TICKETS – BOOK HERE
- €25 Two-day ticket offer ends 16th November
- Advance Tickets (9pm day before fixture) – €15
- On The Day – €20
- Senior/Student on the day – €15
- Family (two adults accompanying children) – €25
- Children 14 years and under – Free
TRANSPORT:
Free Naas Shuttle Bus Service
- Leaving Poplar Square Naas both days.
- From 10am to leave at 10.15 and 10.45 to leave at 11am
- Returns from 3pm.
- Walk-up. No booking necessary.
Return Dublin City Service
- Dublin City Return Service – €30 return from Wellington Quay – BOOK HERE
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
- Win a Family Trip To Lapland – Details
- Santa Truck for Laura Lynn – Sunday 1.30 to 4pm in main enclosure.
- Santa Train will run around the enclosures both days.
- The Playroom is open both days for free children’s games with face painting and bouncies.
- Family Ticket €25 for two adults accompanying children – available on the day.
- All children under 14 race for free.
MUSIC, SHOPPING & MORE
- Live music Saturday evening
- Vintage car display Sunday
- Sophie Hunter Millinery
- Jason O’Ceannobhain Art
- Hollywood Flowers & Festive Gifts
- Agent 74 – Outdoor and Racing
- Irish Injured Jockeys – Christmas cards and Calendars
- Irish Guide Dogs – win a car!
- The Santa Truck for Laura Lynn
- Cara Girls Rescue
- Scoil Mhuire Ballymore Eustace
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**