Punchestown Racecourse

Last updated

Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown races 2009.jpg
Punchestown races 2009
Location County Kildare, Ireland
Date opened1875
Course typeNational Hunt
Notable racesBoylesports.com Champion Chase; Punchestown Gold Cup; Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle; Rabobank Champion Hurdle; AES Champion 4YO Hurdle
Official website

Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is known as the home of Irish Jumps Racing and plays host to the annual Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival. The racecourse itself is right-handed with an undulating hurdle and steeplechase track. The hurdle course is one mile six furlongs in distance while the chase course is 2 miles. Punchestown Racecourse also has the only cross country banks course in Ireland.

Contents

As well as horse racing, Punchestown has hosted several music events, including the annual Oxegen festival which ran from 2004-2011 and then again in 2013, while AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Eminem are among the artists to have played sold out concerts on the racecourse. In 1982 Rory Gallagher played to over 16,000 people supported by U2, Phil Lynott, and Simple Minds. this was part of Hot Press fifth Anniversary. [1] Dick O'Sullivan has been General Manager since 2003. [2]

Punchestown Festival

The Punchestown Festival is the major horse racing festival of the Irish National Hunt Season and is usually held annually in April. The Punchestown Festival is held over five days, between Tuesday and Saturday inclusive. It is seen by many as the Irish version of the Cheltenham Festival and is run in a very similar format.

The major races at the Festival are the Champion Chase, Ryanair Novice Chase, Champion Hurdle, World Series Hurdle, Herald Champion Novice Hurdle, Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle, Growise Champion Novice Chase, Champion Four Year Old Hurdle, Champion INH Flat Race and the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Punchestown is also the home of Ireland's best known International Three Day Event. Run under the title of "Punchestown International Three Day Event and Horse Show," the annual event incorporates a CCI*** Three Day Event, National Showjumping and Showing as well as a Young Event Horse Class. Punchestown hosted the European Eventing Championships in 1991 and 2003. The 2008 event was cancelled at an early stage due to problems with the ground.

History

Punchestown Races were reorganised and reconstituted as "Kildare and National Hunt Steeplechases" in 1861. By the mid 1860s, when fences and hurdles were first introduced, attendance had grown to some 40,000. The presence of the then Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, in 1868 further bolstered the crowds, with an estimated 5,000 travelling by train from Dublin alone.

Notable races

MonthDOWRace NameTypeGradeDistanceAge/Sex
JanuarySaturday Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle HurdleGrade 22m 5yo +
FebruarySunday Tied Cottage Chase ChaseGrade 22m 5yo +
AprilTuesday Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase ChaseGrade 13m 1f 5yo +
AprilTuesday William Hill Champion Chase ChaseGrade 12m 5yo +
AprilTuesday KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle HurdleGrade 12m 5yo +
AprilWednesday Punchestown Gold Cup ChaseGrade 13m 1f 5yo +
AprilWednesday Champion INH Flat Race N H FlatGrade 12m 4yo-7yo
AprilWednesday Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle HurdleGrade 13m 4yo +
AprilThursday Champion Stayers Hurdle HurdleGrade 13m 4yo +
AprilThursday Ryanair Novice Chase ChaseGrade 12m 5yo +
AprilFriday Punchestown Champion Hurdle HurdleGrade 12m 4yo +
AprilFriday Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle HurdleGrade 12m 4f 4yo +
AprilSaturday Champion Four Year Old Hurdle HurdleGrade 12m 4yo only
MaySaturday Mares Champion Hurdle HurdleGrade 12m 2f 4yo + m
OctoberThursday Buck House Novice Chase ChaseGrade 32m 2f 4yo +
OctoberThursday Grabel Mares Hurdle HurdleGrade 32m 2f 4yo + m
OctoberThursday Daily Star Chase ChaseGrade 32m 7f 5yo +
NovemberSunday Craddockstown Novice Chase ChaseGrade 22m 4yo +
NovemberSunday Morgiana Hurdle HurdleGrade 12m 4yo +
NovemberSunday Florida Pearl Novice Chase ChaseGrade 22m 6f 5yo +
DecemberSunday John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase ChaseGrade 12m 4f 5yo +

Music events

As well as horse racing, Punchestown is a noted venue for its music festivals. These include Creamfields - held in 2000, 2001 and 2002; [3] [4] [5] the Ozzfest - a few times; Witnness - held in 2003 (from 2000 to 2002, Witnness was at Fairyhouse Racecourse); and the annual Oxegen festival which was held there from 2004 to 2011 and then again in 2013 before being cancelled. [6] Maximum capacity for concerts is usually 80,000 people. [7] [8]

Radiohead also played a concert at the Punchestown Racecourse, dubbing it "Live From A Tent In Dublin". [9]

Eminem played two dates there in 2003, selling out both. They included his first ever Irish concert on 26 June 2003. [10] He did not return to Ireland again until 2010 when he topped the bill at Oxegen 2010, also held at Punchestown Racecourse. [11]

American rock band Bon Jovi played there on Saturday 7 June 2008. [12]

Australian rock band AC/DC played there on 28 June 2009, in front of 69,354 people. The concert was controversial, with long queues, lack of lighting at exits and too few stewards reported, barriers being pushed over and fans, forced into walking 10 kilometres to the concert, later expressing their rage against organisers MCD Productions for failing to ensure roads were clear. [13]

Westlife lead vocalist Shane Filan played at the racecourse as a solo artist in 2017.

Scouting Jamboree 2008

Punchestown was the site of Jamboree 2008, Scouting Ireland's first national Scout Jamboree from 2–10 August 2008. Bad weather forced the cancellation of visitors' day, with those who were to come being ordered to stay away. [14] Thousands of people from around the world attempted to break a world hand-shaking record. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Walsh</span> Irish jockey

Rupert Walsh is an Irish former jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen. Walsh is the third most prolific winner in British and Irish jump racing history behind only Sir Anthony McCoy and Richard Johnson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Geraghty</span> Irish jockey

Barry Geraghty is a retired Irish jockey. He is the second most successful jockey of all time at the Cheltenham Festival.

Robbie "Puppy" Power is a retired National Hunt jockey. The son of Irish show-jumper Con Power, Robbie Power rode the 33-1 outsider Silver Birch to victory in the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 14 April 2007. It was his second Grand National ride after his Grand National debut in 2005. In 2011 he had his first Cheltenham Festival winner in the RSA Chase. In 2017 he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown Gold Cup on Sizing John. He also won the Irish Grand National on Our Duke.

Gordon Elliott is a County Meath-based National Hunt racehorse trainer. After riding as an amateur jockey, he took out a trainer's licence in 2006. He was 29 when his first Grand National entry, the 33 to 1 outsider Silver Birch, won the 2007 race. In 2018 and 2019 he won the Grand National with Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the first horse since Red Rum to win the race twice. In 2018 he also won the Irish Grand National, with General Principle. On two occasions, in 2017 and 2018, he was the top trainer at the Cheltenham Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicky Henderson</span> British racehorse trainer (born 1950)

Nicholas John Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer six times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Carberry</span>

Paul Carberry is a retired Irish National Hunt jockey.

Noel Meade is a horse trainer from Castletown, County Meath, Ireland. He established Tu Va Stables in Meath as a place to train his horses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davy Russell</span> Irish National Hunt jockey

Davy Russell is an Irish retired National Hunt jockey. He was Irish jump racing Champion Jockey three times, and won the Grand National (twice), the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

Dessie Hughes was an Irish racehorse trainer and jockey. He was the father of British champion jockey, Richard Hughes, and won at the Cheltenham Festival as both jockey and trainer.

Newmill is a retired, Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing. He reached his peak as an eight-year-old in the spring of 2006 when he won two of the season's most important two mile steeplechases: the Queen Mother Champion Chase in England and the Kerrygold Champion Chase in Ireland. In his early career he showed promise as a novice hurdler winning the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, Barry & Sandra Kelly Novice Hurdle and Johnstown Novice Hurdle. When switched to chasing he won the Paddy Fitpatrick Memorial Novice Chase and Kinloch Brae Chase before recording his most important victories. His later career was less successful although he did win the Red Mills Trial Hurdle in the autumn of 2006 and the Kinloch Brae Chase for a second time as a twelve-year-old in 2010.

Back In Front is a retired, Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing. The gelding showed early promise in National Hunt Flat races, winning twice and finishing third in an exceptionally strong renewal of the Champion Bumper. He was one of the leading novice hurdlers in the 2003–04 season, winning four races including the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in England and the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle in Ireland. In the following season he won the Morgiana Hurdle and was regarded as a Champion Hurdle contender before being sidelined by injury. Back In Front won the Bula Hurdle in 2004 but ran poorly when joint-favourite for the Champion Hurdle in 2005. He had little success when switched to steeplechasing and was retired in 2007, having won eleven of his twenty-five races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord Windermere</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Lord Windermere is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who competes in National Hunt racing. He is a successful steeplechaser, winning the RSA Chase in 2013 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faugheen</span> Racehorse trained in Ireland

Faugheen is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2015 Champion Hurdle and back-to-back Christmas Hurdles in 2014 and 2015. His best performance on a racecourse came in the 2016 Irish Champion Hurdle for which he was rated the best two-mile hurdler of the 21st century. His career started over Point-to-point fences as a four-year-old and was sent racing under National Hunt rules in the 2013/2014 season where he emerged as a leading Novice hurdler, winning all of his races including the Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle, Cheltenham Novices Hurdle and Herald Champion Novice Hurdle acquiring the nickname "The Machine" in the process.

Jessica Jane Harrington is an Irish professional horse trainer. Harrington specialises in National Hunt racing but has also had success in Flat racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vautour (horse)</span> French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Vautour was a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing and won three times at the Cheltenham Festival. After beginning his racing career in France he moved to Ireland and made an immediate impact over hurdles in the spring of 2014 winning the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, Deloitte Novice Hurdle, Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Tattersalls Champion Novice Hurdle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Cossack (horse)</span> German-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Don Cossack is a retired German-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing. Since his second race the gelding has been owned by the Gigginstown House Stud and trained in County Meath by Gordon Elliott. He was ridden by many leading jockeys including Nina Carberry, Davy Russell, Bryan Cooper, Barry Geraghty, A. P. McCoy and Paul Carberry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douvan</span> National Hunt racehorse trained in Ireland

Douvan is a French-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who competes in National Hunt racing. He was originally trained in France before moving to Ireland in the summer of 2014. After finishing second on his debut he won his remaining five races over hurdles including the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Herald Champion Novice Hurdle. In the following year he was switched to steeplechasing and won all his six races over fences as a novice including the Racing Post Novice Chase, Arkle Novice Chase, Arkle Challenge Trophy, Maghull Novices' Chase and Ryanair Novice Chase. In the 2016–17 season he continued his unbeaten run in steeplechases by winning his first three starts, including the Grade One Paddy Power Cashcard Chase, before suffering his first defeat over fences when favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sizing John</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Sizing John is a British-bred, Irish trained thoroughbred racehorse who competes in National Hunt racing. He is trained by Jessica Harrington and owned by Ann and Alan Potts, and is best known for winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2017. He has been ridden in most of his races by Jonathon Burke, but has more recently been ridden Robbie Power, including all four of his Grade 1 wins over fences. He also won a Grade 1 over Hurdles, the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in 2014, and spent much of his early chasing career finishing second or third in races won by Douvan, widely regarded as one of the best chasers of recent times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Boum Photo</span> French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Al Boum Photo is a French-bred, Irish-trained racehorse who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2019 and 2020.

Henry de Bromhead is an Irish horse trainer who specialises in training horses for National Hunt racing. He has trained a number of Grade 1 winners including Sizing John and Honeysuckle, and is based at stables in Knockeen, County Waterford

References

  1. "Flashback: Phil Lynott, Rory Gallagher & Bono on stage 35 years ago". independent. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  2. richard forristal. "Dick O’Sullivan’s remarkable journey has taken him from Tralee to Punchestown via Mexico, and he’s always walked on the sunny side of the street". Irish Independent. 19 April 2010.
  3. "Creamfields on June 24 at Punchestown venue". independent. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  4. "Everything you wanted to know about Creamfields, but were afraid to ask the kids". independent. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  5. "Ozzy frozen out of Irish Ozzfest". 27 May 2002. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  6. "Ireland's 2014 Oxegen music festival cancelled". BBC News. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  7. "80,000 music fans gather for Oxegen festival". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. "Oxegen takes a breather for 2012". independent. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  9. . CNN. April 9 2020.
  10. "2003 Punchestown gig for Eminem". RTÉ. 27 January 2003.
  11. "Eminem tops the bill for Oxegen music festival". BBC. 23 February 2010.
  12. "Bon Jovi are set to rock Punchestown". Irish Independent. 21 November 2007.
  13. Stephen Dunne and John Mooney. "AC/DC fans walk ‘highway from hell’ at Punchestown". The Sunday Times. 5 July 2009.
  14. "Visitors' day cancelled at Punchestown Jamboree". The Belfast Telegraph. 6 August 2008.
  15. "Scout jamboree tries to break world hand-shaking record at Punchestown". The Belfast Telegraph. 9 August 2008.

Coordinates: 53°11′02″N6°37′48″W / 53.184°N 6.63°W / 53.184; -6.63