Two days down and three to go as the Punchestown Festival hits it’s stride with 36,000 people already enjoying brilliant racing action, wonderful style, food and entertainment.
There has been a good spread of winners with some wonderful stories with two days of racing already complete. Now, as the five-day social and sporting spectacular enters the business end of the week it’s still all to play for with 24 races including six Grade 1s and just under €1.8m prize money on offer.
Whilst action on the track has been thrilling the enclosures have been buzzing as the Bollinger Best Dressed competition injects wonderful fashion and colour into the occasion. Two stylish racegoers have already been fast tracked to the grand final on Punchestown Ladies Day, Friday 28 April, among them MIchael Walsh of Monkstown above.
The overall winner will enjoy an exclusive invitation only all-inclusive visit to the famous Bollinger Estate in the Champagne region with overnight stays, a trip to Paris, Michelin dining and more.
The Punchestown Festival concludes on Saturday and as the racing season curtain closer, the event is a wonderful celebration of the success achieved by the great champions of the sport. Saturday’s focus is on the future with a huge Family Day event taking place. All children race for free with a dedicated family zone offering bouncy castles, face painting, fancy dress, pony rides and farm zone. A full itinerary of family entertainment is available on www.punchestown.com
Yesterday saw the CF Foundation from Ballyfermot scoop top winnings with Hereditary Rules winning the HSS Hire Handicap Chase, scooping €59,000 for the Dublin syndicate.
Conor O’Neill Punchestown CEO is delighted with the festival so far: “Two down and three to go. It’s at this stage of the week that the profile of the festival changes. A great social crowd start to gather to celebrate as we bring another memorable season to a close. Friday is a bumper Ladies Day crowd but Saturday is now a huge day as socialisers, families, locals and those from the racing industry enjoy the wrap part of the season. It’s a great atmosphere. The weather has been good so far and we look forward to the final stages of the race that is the Punchestown Festival!”
A limited number of race and dine hospitality options have been released for booking along with general admission, group and reserved enclosure tickets on www.punchestown.com/fixtures/
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