Punchestown Course Guide

The most prestigious racecourse in Ireland that only races under National Hunt rules, Punchestown host 17 high-quality fixtures every year. Located just outside Naas which is 30km south of Dublin, it has played host to racing at its current location since 1824.

While Punchestown hosts high-quality action throughout the National Hunt season, the highlight is unquestionably the Punchestown Festival which traditionally closes out the Irish National Hunt season and often showcases the stars of jump racing for the final time before their summer breaks. The meeting boasts no less than 12 Grade 1 races, with the traditional highlights being the Punchestown Gold Cup and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

Away from the Festival, Punchestown also hosts the Morgiana Hurdle in November and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in December, which are well-established targets for many stars of National Hunt racing in the first half of the season.

A right-handed, galloping, undulating track with a steady climb through the last five furlongs. It is a very fair test of a jumper; there are eleven fences to a circuit which are not stiff by British standards and they pose few problems to sound jumpers. The cross-country course is a long and twisting one over a variety of banks and other obstacles, few of which are jumped more than once. The turns are both left- and right-handed and only the final brush fence is on the racecourse proper.


Punchestown is a story of two tracks really. The chase track is brilliant, a proper Grade 1 track. The fences are stiff, but very fair. However, I never really got on well with the hurdle track. It’s very undulating, the downhill section after the winning post can also make life difficult. The bends are very tight, especially the second-last bend, and in realty it is sharper than most people appreciate. Because of its nature, I’d much rather be handier than held up.

View from the saddle: Charlie Swan
Future Fixtures
  • Tue 15 September 2026
  • Tue 13 October 2026
  • Wed 14 October 2026
  • Mon 09 November 2026
  • Sat 21 November 2026
  • Sun 22 November 2026
Advance Going
No current information

Current Weather today at: Punchestown

Today
Light rain

Forecast: Light rain
Temp: 12.6° - 19.8°
Rainfall: 0.86mm
Wind: 17.5 mph SW

Tomorrow
Sunny spells

Forecast: Sunny spells
Temp: 11.5° - 20.5°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 11.2 mph W

Last Update: 01/07/2026 07:00

Results

1

13:22 Bermingham Cameras Novice Chase

2m 4f | 5YO plus | 5 ran
  • Winner: Ma Jacks Hill 11/1
  • Jockey: Kevin Sexton Trainer: G Elliott
  • Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
2

13:57 Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase

3m 1f | 4YO plus | 3 ran
  • Winner: Raglan Road 13/8 2Fav
  • Jockey: Mike O'Connor Trainer: H De Bromhead
  • Owner: John P McManus
3

14:32 K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase

2m 4f | 5YO plus | 12 ran
  • Winner: Vaureal 9/1
  • Jockey: P J O'Hanlon Trainer: Ian Patrick Donoghue
  • Owner: D J Gillen
4

15:07 Congratulations Nicole Lockhead Anderson INHSC Ladies Handicap Hurdle

2m 3f | 4YO plus | 16 ran
  • Winner: Fairlander 7/2 Fav
  • Jockey: Miss P Elvin Trainer: P J Rothwell
  • Owner: David L'Estrange & Eric Newnham & William Esdaile
5

15:42 Lily & Wild Mares Maiden Hurdle

2m 5½f | 4YO plus | 18 ran
  • Winner: Between Friends 5/1
  • Jockey: Aidan Kelly Trainer: E Bolger
  • Owner: John P McManus
6

16:17 John Dowling Memorial Maiden Hurdle

2m 7½f | 4YO plus | 11 ran
  • Winner: Jerry From Kerry 3/1 J2Fav
  • Jockey: Jack Gilligan Trainer: P J Gilligan
  • Owner: Peter Mulrooney
7

16:52 TRM Supporting Every Stride Of The Journey Handicap Hurdle

2m 7½f | 4YO plus | 13 ran
  • Winner: Smackwater Jack 22/1
  • Jockey: Ethan O'Sullivan Trainer: Mrs D Foster
  • Owner: Jules Sigler
8

17:27 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares

Pro/Am | Flat Race

2m ½f | 4YO plus | 10 ran
  • Winner: Al Arrivee 5/6 Fav
  • Jockey: Mr P W Mullins Trainer: W P Mullins
  • Owner: Mrs J M Mullins

Address & Contact

Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown
Naas
Co. Kildare
Ireland
+353 (0)45 897704
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