PUNCHESTOWN RACES

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The Irish National Hunt Festival

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 25th(e), 26th(e), 27th(e), 28th(e) and 29th April 2023.

First day - Tuesday 25th April 2023 (E)

Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

T 045 897704 F 045 897319

CEO: Mr. Conor O’Neill

E racing@punchestown.com W www.punchestown.com

Trustees: F. Heffernan Esq., Ms. C. Lawlor., N. Speirs Esq.

Directors: Mr D. Mongey (Chairman), Ms. L. Young, Mr. R. O’Sullivan, Mr L. Queally, Mr. J. Morris, Mr. D. Ashmore, Mr. C. O’Reilly and Mr. N. Speirs

President of the Kildare Hunt Club: Mr. N. MacDermott Esq.

OFFICIALS:

Receiver of Entries: Horse Racing Ireland, Ballymany, The Curragh, Co Kildare.

Stakeholder: Horse Racing Ireland

Veterinary Surgeons: Mr. M. McRedmond (Stable Yard)

Mr. P. Traynor (Track), Ms. V. Hyde (Track), Mr. T. Burns (Track) & Mr. H. Dillion (Parade Ring/Track Pull Up)

Medical Officers: Dr. J. Fay & Dr. R. Downey

Racecourse Farrier: Mr. Eamon Behan

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is responsible for the integrity of Irish Racing. In fulfiling this role, they provide Stewards and professional Officials at all racemeetings to ensure that their rules are properly observed.

The following list of Stewards and Officials are officiating at today’s race meeting:

Acting Stewards: Mr. N. McGrath, Mr. F.G. Fitzsimmons, Mr. J. Weld, Mr. P. Caffery & Mr. L. Walsh

Clerk of the Course: Mr. B. Sheridan

Assistant Clerk of the Course: Mr. L. Wyer

Clerk of the Scales: Mr. P.L. Malone

Starter: Mr. P.F. Graffin

Starter Assistant: Mr. D. Cullen

Judge: Mr. A.L. McKeever

Handicapper: Mr. A. Shaw

Stewards Secretaries: Mr. M.F. O’Donoghue & Mr. C.J. Sweeney

Medical Officers: Dr. J. Pugh & Dr. P. Houlihan

Veterinary Officer: Ms. J. Taylor MVB, MRCVS

Veterinary Assistants: Ms. C.S. Murphy & Mr. D.J. Condell

Security Officer: Mr. C. Gordon No card

Dear Friends of Punchestown,

On behalf of the Kildare Hunt Club and the entire team here at Punchestown Racecourse

I’m delighted to welcome you to the much-anticipated opening day of the 2023 Punchestown Festival. We say it time and time again, although it really is the people that make Punchestown, it simply would not be the same without you. We truly thank you for supporting us in these challenging times and for joining us today. We really hope you enjoy everything that the Punchestown experience has to offer.

The thrilling renewal of the Grade 1 €300,000 William Hill Champion Chase takes centre stage as the feature race on day one and I would like to welcome all the team from William Hill to the Home of Irish Jump Racing. I would also like to acknowledge and thank all of our sponsors today and indeed over the five days for their continued support. It is their involvement that enables us to showcase the highest calibre of equine and sporting talent on both sides of the Irish Sea, for the grand finale of the Irish jump racing season. Whilst the season is nearing the end, with over €3.3 million in prizemoney and 12 Grade 1 contests on offer perhaps the best is yet to come! It’s a week of celebration as we gather to celebrate one of the annual highlights on the Irish sporting calendar.

We’re thrilled to see such an array of notable entries from the U.K. throughout the week who are set to renew rivalries again on Irish soil. The U.K involvement is such an integral part of our festival and we sincerely thank all trainers, owners, jockeys and racing enthusiasts for making the extra effort to travel to Punchestown. We really do hope you enjoy the experience and we wish you every success and a safe journey home.

The next five days are something to savour and we hope that you enjoy the action on and off the track with a host of entertainment lined up for all to enjoy. Don’t miss a moment of the magic, enjoy the Punchestown experience and we very much look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow for more exhilarating action with the Ladbrokes Gold Cup the highlight on Day 2.