Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the small town of Eadestown, in County Kildare, Ireland. The dual-purpose racing venue is conveniently located just 20 miles away from Dublin. Its course is an undulating hurdle and steeplechase track, which is right-handed in direction and oval in shape. The hurdle course covers a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs, while the chase course is 2 miles long. Punchestown Racecourse is also home to Ireland’s only cross country banks course. The venue stages many notable races throughout its prestigious racing calendar with the Punchestown Festival being the highlight of the season.
The earliest historical records of racing activity in Punchestown show race meetings being held in the area as far back as 1824. By 1850, the racecourse was established at its current location and became a permanent venue In 1861, the Punchestown Races were rebranded as the “Kildare and National Hunt Steeplechases”. Three years later, Punchestown Racecourse became home to the £300 National Hunt Steeplechase, Ireland’s richest meeting which attracted huge crowds in excess of 40,000. In 1868, the track was visited by the Prince of Wales who would later become King Henry VII of England. Over the years, Punchestown Racecourse flourished and continued to add important events to its racing calendar such as the Governor General’s Cup and the Conyngham Cup.
Many memorable and famous moments have occurred at Punchestown Racecourse throughout its recent history. The well-known “Standing Stone “was place in 1934; celebrated dancer Fred Astaire attended the races in 1939; the racecourse had its 100th birthday in 1950; and the Punchestown Gold Cup was founded in 1960. Just three years later, the much-loved race horse Arkle claimed victory in the event.
The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival is the most popular fixture on the venue’s racing calendar schedule. Today the equine highlight covers five days of spectacular racing action including 12 Grade 1 races. Other popular meetings include the Boylesports Champion Race Day, the Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle Day, the BETDAQ Champion Hurdle Day, the Punchestown Gold Cup, the John Durkan Memorial Chase Day and the Irish Daily Star Chase to name just a few.
Punchestown Festival not only stages top-class racing, but the event is also favoured for its warm and friendly atmosphere. Live entertainment can be enjoyed along with a wide selection of food and drink, served in the glass-fronted Panoramic Restaurant, or from one of the numerous food stands.
Tickets can be purchased at various prices, depending on the chosen event. There are packages and promotions available including hospitality packages, festival party packs and restaurant packages. There are concessions for seniors and students and children under 14 years of age can benefit from free admission. For those who enjoy shopping, there is the Festival Shopping Village on site which houses at least 60 stands selling a huge range of services and products such as jewellery, clothes, toys, home ware, garden furniture and fine art, amongst many other items.
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