The PRL Champion Novice Hurdle To Raise Punchestown Grade One Curtain
9th Apr 2026
9th Apr 2026
Punchestown Festival Fully Sponsored with Record Prize Fund
Media Release, Thursday 9th April 2026: Punchestown Racecourse today announced a major new agreement as the Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle completes the sponsorship line-up at the highly anticipated Festival in just three weeks time.
Taking place on Tuesday 28th April, the €125,000 Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle will raise the grade one curtain at the festival that famously boasts 12 of the top drawer contests across a 40 race programme with a record €3.6 million prize fund. The PRL Champion Novice Hurdle has an all-star roll of honour with Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Moscow Flyer featuring.
This will be a race day sponsorship debut for PRL who deliver a full 360 degree outsourced service specialising in logistics management, freight, sales and marketing. Based in Rathcoole, this family owned business has been operating for over 90 years.
Executive Chairman at PRL, Michael Brannigan said “We are delighted to play our part in this well-loved festival. The sponsorship fosters community spirit and highlights PRL’s active engagement in the local area”.
Conor O’Neill, Punchestown CEO welcomed PRL saying: “We are so pleased to welcome PRL to the Punchestown Festival for a number of reasons. A local, long established, family-owned company stepping up as grade one sponsor is exactly the community ethos we share. Furthermore, to complete the sponsorship folio with an major announcement like this is a super endorsement for festival as a commercial event. We very much look forward to welcoming Michael Brannigan, his guests and team to Punchestown”.
The 2026 Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May. An award winning social and sporting highlight that attracts 120,000 attendees, the festival is one of Ireland’s largest corporate events with over 19,500 hospitality guests representing over 900 companies from both Ireland and the UK. The diverse demographic of urban, rural, sporting, social, and business all gathering to celebrate and enjoy the famous atmosphere has earned Punchestown a ‘not-to-be-missed’ reputation.
Editor Notes:
PRL is an Irish & UK company specialising in logistics management, freight, sales and marketing. PRL stands for partnership, reliability and leadership and we believe in embodying these values amongst customers, colleagues and the local community.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emer Woodfull, PRL – emer.woodfull@prl.ie
Shona Dreaper, Punchestown Racecourse – sdreaper@punchestown.com
