PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE. |
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Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality. Introduction:The Gaelic name for Punchestown means Valley of the Ash Trees, and in Irish folk lore, the ash tree is associated with enchantment, but also health and strength. All three of these qualities can be observed at Punchestown. Leading horses compare their strength and fitness in competitive races, and these battles for supremacy certainly enchant the large crowds who flock to the Punchestown races. Horse racing started at Punchestown in 1824. However, the original races were completely different in format to modern national hunt racing. Initially, racing took place over a cross country course of stone walls, streams, hedges, plus single and double banks. It seems this original form of racing was very popular, for the first two day meeting attracted large crowds, some of whom, even travelled the thirty seven kilometres from Dublin. By 1827, the success of the meeting meant it had been extended to a four day festival, and by 1850, Punchestown had become so popular, it attracted the sponsorship of the gentlemen of the Kildare Hunt, and from that year onwards, Punchestown became established as an official racing venue. In the early eighteen sixties, for commercial reasons, the new management committee enclosed the racecourse, introduced hurdle and steeplechase courses, and reduced the size of the cross country banked course. However, the tradition of the Punchestown Festival continued to grow, and nowadays, many Irish people believe the Punchestown Festival, staged in late April or early May, is superior in content to the earlier festivals at Cheltenham, Aintree, and Fairyhouse. In fact, they go so far as to refer to their racecourse as Peerless Punchestown. No doubt, the pros and cons of this assertion could be argued indefinitely. What can be said with confidence, is the Punchestown Festival does stage some magnificent national hunt racing, and it attracts big crowds from both sides of the Irish sea. In 2008, Punchestown will stage a total of seventeen days racing. This will include the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase in December, and the plethora of grade and listed races which will be run during the five day Festival meeting in late April. In keeping with tradition, the festival will include two cross country races staged over the famous Punchestown banked course. Track facts:Although it does stage flat racing, Punchestown is predominantly a national hunt racecourse. Punchestown has four right handed courses. The oldest is the banked course. This is a cross country course of three miles in duration. It has severe undulations, including steep banks and descents. Fences on the course include, walls, hedges, and spruce obstacles. The flat course is an undulating oval measuring two miles in circumference. The hurdles course is an undulating oval measuring one mile six furlongs in circumference. There are eight flights of hurdles on each circuit of the course. The undulating oval of the steeplechase course is two miles in circumference. It has eleven fences on each circuit, and they are laid out in the following pattern: Between the finishing line and the start of the back straight, there are three plain fences followed by the first open ditch, then in the back straight there are two plain fences followed by the second open ditch, after the back straight there are two more plain fences on the top section of the course, and then two more plain fences located prior to the winning post on the home straight. The Punchestown fences are a good test of jumping ability, and potential winners must combine agility with pace and stamina. Enclosures and hospitality:The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse. Grandstand and Paddock Ticket. Ticket holders have access to all the public areas of the racecourse. Viewing of the racing action is extremely good from either the Main, or Panoramic Grandstands. The Panoramic Restaurant is on the upper level of the panoramic grandstand. By booking a table in advance, race goers can enjoy a high quality, silver service four course meal. In addition, as its name suggests, the restaurant provides superb views across the racecourse, plus close up observation of the home straight and winning post. Tables can also be booked in the De Robeck Restaurant and Bar. In this modern facility, while casting an educated eye over the parading runners, patrons can dine from a high quality menu. To prevent interruptions to the dining experience, the restaurant offers a tote counter, and closed circuit television coverage of the racing. Also adjacent to the parade ring is the self service restaurant. This facility offers hot and cold meals, sandwiches, plus tea and coffee. The ground floor of the grandstand is the home of the lively and atmospheric La Touche, and Double Bank Bars. The Hunt Stand Bar is on the first floor of the grandstand, and in addition to a full range of drinks, it offers hot and cold snacks. It is accompanied on the same floor by the Tote Sport Lounge. The latter facility has comfortable seating and a wall of television screens, and allows race goers to keep in touch with all other sporting events taking place at the same time as the Punchestown races. Disabled facilities:Located near the entrance gates, Punchestown has a designated car park for disabled drivers. The whole enclosure is wheelchair friendly, and there are lifts to all levels of the grandstand facilities. There are designated viewing areas which overlook the parade ring and racecourses. Specialist toilet facilities are located throughout the enclosure. Fixtures:Saturday 12 January. Sunday 03 February. Wednesday 18th February. Wednesday 20 February. Tuesday 22 April. Wednesday 23 April. Thursday 24 April. Friday 25 April. Saturday 26 April. Wednesday 07 May. Thursday 29 May. Wednesday 15 October. Thursday 16 October. Wednesday 29 October. Saturday 15 November. Sunday 16 November. Sunday 07 December. Wednesday 31 December TRANSPORT LINKS.By Road:The racecourse is situated five kilometres outside Naas, on the Naas to Ballymore Eustace road. From Dublin, race goers should use the southbound N7. Nearing Naas, turn off at the R445 signpost, then turn left on to the R447, pick up the R411 signposted for Naas town centre. At the first set of traffic lights, turn left on to the R410 signposted for Punchestown. Continue on the R410 for about 3 kilometres. At the five Roads Junction, turn right, and the racecourse is situated about 2 kilometres down this road on the left hand side. Travelling from Dublin airport, use the M50, leave at junction 9, and join the N7. Then follow as above. By Rail:Sallins railway station is approximately 10 kilometres from Punchestown. Race goers can take the connecting Arrow train service from Dublin Heuston station. Taxi connections from Sallins to the racecourse should be booked in advance. By Bus:During the five days of the Punchestown festival, a special bus service is operated from Dublin busarus to the racecourse. Buses return after the last race. For ordinary race meetings, Bus Eireann operate a regular service from Dublin busarus to Naas. Taxis are then available to the racecourse. For full details on Bus Eireann services to Naas and Punchestown, please contact, Bus Eireann at Busarus: 01 836 6111. By Air:Dublin international airport is around 48 kilometres from Punchestown. J J Kavanagh and Sons run a special coach service from Dublin airport to Punchestown during the five days of the festival meeting. Coaches depart at half hourly intervals between 9.30 and 11.00 a m. Return coaches depart at 7.15 p m. CONTACT DETAILS.Address: Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, County Kildare.Eire tel no: 045 89 77 04.
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