Punchestown - Winter In Town - Racing Festival 

Punchestown - Winter In Town - Racing Festival

What a Weekend in Store for Punchestown Winter Festival!

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November

 Featuring Group 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle Saturday 16 November

Brilliant racing. Live Music. Great Food & Bar Options

The stars of the Irish racing will be out in force as the jump season ramps up for the 2019 Punchestown Winter Festival taking place on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November.
A massive €400,000 of prize money will be on offer across two days in cards that include Grade 1, 2, 3, Listed and cross country action.

 A change to the usual running order for one of the pre-Christmas highlights sees the feature grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle take place in a new slot on Saturday 16th November. The €100,000 centre piece could see champion trainer Willie Mullins break his own record as he bids to land a ninth consecutive win of the same race. Mullins has entered six of the eleven contenders at the early closing stage including Punchestown and Cheltenham champion novice hurdle hero Klassical Dream and last year’s Unibet Morgiana winner Sharjah. The opening day of the Punchestown Winter Festival also boasts the grade 2 Elliott Group Craddockstown novice chase over two miles. The brilliant Sizing John is among the previous winners of this one and last year’s victor Voix de Reve from the Mullins camp went on to land grade 1 success in the Ryanair Gold Cup at Easter in Fairyhouse.

Sunday’s card gets underway around midday with a spectators favourite as runners in the EMS Copiers Risk Of Thunder Chase take on the famous Punchestown cross country course.  Later in the afternoon racegoers will enjoy quality hurdle action as the top mares in training will line up for the listed Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle over two miles and two furlongs. The Grade 2 Liam and Valerie Brennan Memorial Flordia Pearl Novice Chase adds a further layer of quality to the weekend of brilliant jump racing action. A full list of entries for both days will be available from 1.30pm Tuesday 12th November.

2019 marks the third running of the Up The Yard Stud and Stable Staff Challenge which is the final race on the Saturday 16th November. This initiative was introduced by Punchestown to offer the hard working heroes of our industry an opportunity to fulfil a dream and ride in a race around the home of Irish jump racing. Stud and training establishments around the country have nominated a contender who has never ridden on the track or in a point to point so are true ‘race riding’ beginners. This year’s winner will enjoy a well-deserved break in Paris with huge thanks to Midland Travel, sport and group travel specialists. The Gordon Elliott team will bid for a hat-trick however,  with ladies dominating the winners enclosure so far it may be the turn of one of the eight gentlemen who are set to take part in this year’s renewal.

As always Punchestown racegoers can enjoy an array of bar, restaurant and café venues across both days with live music taking place each evening after racing.

The ever popular Race and Dine package for €79pp, including a delicious four course lunch in one of our famous restaurant venues over-looking the final straight, has limited availability on Saturday 16th and further space on Sunday 17th.

A FREE mini Junior Jockey Play Zone will be in operation for younger racegoers who race for free if under 14 years of age. Full coverage of feature races from Cheltenham will be aired on big screens and throughout bars and restaurants whenever possible.  

Winter Festival In Brief:

Times: First race around 12.15pm Saturday 16th and 12.05pm Sunday 17th (Subject to minor changes).

Gates: From 90 minutes before the first each day.  

Tickets: €10 seniors and Students, €15 adults, Under 14 years FREE  available www.punchestown.com or on the gate.

Deals: Save with the Winter Warmer €30pp includes: Admission, Racecard, €5 Food Voucher (The Feedroom Restaurant), €5 beverage Voucher, €5 Ladbrokes Match Bet.

Racing Highlights: 

Saturday - Elliott Group Craddockstown Chase (GR2)  1.25pm. Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (GR1) 2pm, Up The Yard Stud & Stable Staff Challenge 4pm. 

Sunday - EMS Risk Of Thunder Cross Country 12.05pm, Frontline Grabel Mares Hurdle 1.05pm, Brennan Memorial Florida Pearl Chase (GR2) 2.50pm  

Runner Info: Entries available Tuesday 12th from 2pm. Declarations available Friday 15th from 11am.

Dining:  Race & Dine all-inclusive €79pp (pre-book required), The Feedroom and HAY Café (casual dining).

Entertainment: Live music each evening in the Sports Bar on level one of grandstand. Indoor play area for children each day beside the horse walk.

Cash: Cash facility available in main entrance building. Bars offer cash back up to €100. Card payment accepted in all venues. 

For further information on the 2019 Punchestown Winter Festival please visit www.punchestown.com or call the team on +353 (0)45 897704


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