Latest news with #PunchestownRacingFestival
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rugby legend Shane Byrne opens up about pride for his daughter in Rose of Tralee
Former rugby player Shane Byrne opened up about his pride at his daughter in the Rose of Tralee. The former Leinster star cheered on his daughter, Kerry, at last year's Rose of Tralee competition, which was hosted by Daithi O Se and Kathryn Thomas. Shane was a guest at the Bollinger champagne tent on the third day of the Punchestown Racing Festival, where he opened up about his pride for his daughter. He said: "It was is all completely her. We didn't have anything to do with it. "The then-Wicklow Rose was a girl from Arklow and that sparked her interest. "She told us she was going to do it and we thought 'Oh brilliant'. She was brilliant. She was really, really impressive. The rollercoaster that is the Rose of Tralee. "But the main thing is she was happy doing it. She made lifelong friends." He shared his pride watching his daughter on stage. "She was nice and calm. There was no real stress," he added. Shane was among the 20,228 who attended day three of Punchestown Races - compared to 18,289 on the same day last year. Elsewhere, at the Bollinger tent, Kildare native Maria Osborne, 41, was crowned Thursday's finalist of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition. The mum-of-three dedicated her win to her daughter Rosie. She said: "I'm having a really good day. "I've had three kids and it's been a decade so I'm back racing now." Speaking about her win, she said it was so exciting to be a finalist ahead of Friday's grand final of winning a trip for two to the Bollinger champagne region of France. Psychologist Maria said she dedicated her win to her seven-year-old Rosie. "Without a doubt, my little girl Rosie. She's seven. She has her own unique style. "She was in the changing room when I was buying it. She was really excited." Maria wowed the Best Dressed judges with her outfit from Aoife McNamara while her shoes are Jimmy Choos from Vinted. Her hat - a Marc Millinery rental from Hats Amore in Newbridge - was teamed with an old Zara bag she had at home, while her Chanel sunglasses were borrowed from her sister. The Head of the Bollinger Style Council, Jess Colivet commented "the style and colour was amazing today, they really followed the brief - something old, something new - and the decision was very tough, it really came down to the finishing touches like shoes and jewellery." Maria will join previous daily winners Genieve Ryan and Oniesa Owens, who have fast-tracked through to today's grand finale when the overall winner of the 2025 Bollinger Best Dressed Competition will be announced. The first race today goes to post at 3.40pm and the feature race on the card is the highly anticipated, Boodles Champion Hurdle (Grade 1).
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
‘Costa Del Punchestown' hail punters who also rave about surprising drinks prices at 2025 Festival
THE 2025 Punchestown Festival is receiving broadly positive reviews thanks to the combination of glorious weather and reasonable drinks prices. There are of course still 5 Twitter user Steve Duggan shared this photo from the hospitality tent while praising the drink prices on offer Credit: X 5 For reference, here is the menu from the 2024 Festival Credit: @racingblogger 5 Popular horse racing tipster Stephen Power branded the Kildare course 'Costa Del Punchestown' Credit: @racingblogger 5 Similarly, Clare Makin called Wednesday 'a gorgeous day for it' But having trawled through punter feedback online, complaints around the Kildare venue itself seem few and far between. Steve noted the price of a Guinness is lower than what you'd pay at Saluting the attendee experience as a whole, he said: "Been a great two days at a great course with great friendly staff and the Guinness is cheaper here on course than in Dublin." A number of famous faces Read More On Irish Sport Ireland football legend Other celebs at the track included Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round. "The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse.' Most read in Horse Racing And in the big race of the day, jockey Kathryn Thomas enjoys day out at Punchestown Festival The nine-year-old prevented an unwanted hat-trick in the race, having been second to Fastorslow for the past two years. The 5-6 favourite left no doubt about his star quality as he received rapturous applause from punters watching the big race. 'We are very, very fortunate to have him,' said the winning rider. 'Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. 5 Weather forecasters have predicted another heatwave around the midlands today before the rain returns on Friday and Saturday Speaking after the big win, Corkman Townend added: 'We are very, very fortunate to have him. "Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. The reception he gets his special and we are just lucky to be a part of it. He's a unique horse.' Galopin Des Champs gave his rider a scare by producing a scruffy jump at the last, but it didn't impact the end result. Townend continued: 'It wouldn't be like him at all but the fact he done it meant he was doing things easy enough. 'In fairness he gave me plenty of warning. After that he got in a good rhythm and enjoyed it. 'He was taking me today whereas I was trying to hang in there in Cheltenham. "He wasn't right in Cheltenham and thankfully it didn't leave a huge mark on him which it could have with the effort he put in. 'He got me out of trouble at the last, there's no lying about it. He's all class." have significant live coverage throughout each day's racing. On Thursday and Friday it'll be showcased from 4pm to 7pm on RTE Two with RTE One then broadcasting the final day from 3pm until 5:45pm.
Irish Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Second time lucky for new mum who was named Best Dressed at Punchestown Festival
It was second time lucky for new mother Oniesa Owens, who was named Best Dressed at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Punters flocking to the Kildare racecourse enjoyed "the hottest day in decades" according to racing bosses. At the Bollinger tent, mum-of-one Oniesa Owens from Longford, who works as an area manager for a tyre company, recently completed a course in fashion buying. She was spotted by judges, including Jess Colivet, Kate Nally McCormack, David O'Connor and guest stylist Ali Gleeson, who adored her preloved fashion. Speaking afterwards, Oniesa said she was a finalist on the Wednesday at last year's races, but didn't win. But luck was on her side on Wednesday as she was crowned a finalist this Friday where she is in with a chance of winning a luxurious trip for two to the champagne region in France. She said: "The outfit is preloved by Roisin Linnane... We're here with the Longford GAA and the jacket is from a boutique called Fabiani by Rotate. "Punchestown is always cold so that's why I said I'd wear sleeves. "Winning this is amazing and adds a string to my bow. "I was a finalist on the Wednesday last year but I didn't win that day. "I'll possibly wear this. I did see a green skirt in the Enable Ireland shop but with the weather like this I might change my outfit (for Friday)." Oniesa is here with her husband Johnathan and the couple welcomed a baby girl, Esme, a year ago. "I love fashion. I love dressing up, love the style. It goes back generations. "It's the hardest job you'll ever do (being a mother). I'd love her to love the style like I do." As many as 23,285 flocked to the second day of the Kildare racecourse - up 1,633. We even spotted a bridal party enjoying a hen do. Leanne Knight from Cheltenham was enjoying two days in Ireland with her bridal squad ahead of her wedding in August. Leanne said it was much better value at Punchestown than Cheltenham. "We love the Irish. We were out in Temple Bar last night and we're heading there again tonight. We love Ireland." A HRI spokesperson for Punchestown Racing Festival said: "It's the hottest day in decades and there's a total party atmosphere. It's going to be a great week." Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon was among those in attendance as well as Ireland AM star Elaine Crowley, who was a guest of Ladbrokes in the exclusive Morrell Suite. Elaine said: "I had the winner in the first race at 14/1. I love the races now." RTE star Marty Morrissey was also in attendance with the Longford GAA team. He added: "I had a great day at the races. The weather makes it. The Marty Party will be in full swing tonight." Among those enjoying the racing festivities was also former Irish international soccer legend and Ladbrokes brand ambassador, Shane Long. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round. "The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse." Elsewhere, Minister Heydon recalled working at the races in his early years and how important the festival is to the local economy. "I worked here as a young fella in 2004. I worked down at the race-track, it was my full time job, I was also a part time farmer. "So many people who come here are passionate about their national hunt racing. "It's the end of a very important season and a chance for re-matches after Cheltenham and Leopardstown and Fairyhouse. "But if the ground isn't right and the people who do all the hard work on the course don't get that right, then this doesn't work on this side. "So great work and attention and care has gone on out there. "From 2000 to 2004, I worked on the track here. We used to have to water it in times of great heat like this. "You also had to manage the ground when it's wetter as well. "But it's the indirect economic spin-off for County Kildare that comes from Punchestown, it's valued at tens of millions of euros. "Whether it's local boutiques or menswear shops, everybody gets ready for Punchestown. "We all grew up getting a half day from school for it, here in the Kildare area, this is who we are and it's a huge part of it. "Never mind your bars and restaurants that are going to benefit from tonight in Naas, Ballymore Eustace and all around. "This year we have seen 27pc of the visitors here are going to be from England – that's foreign, direct investment that's coming into the country that's so important from a tourism perspective. "So there is so much to this and is a direct reason that we as an Irish Gov invest money into this industry, an industry that's worth almost €2.5bn to our entire economy and employs almost 30,000 people." Minister Heydon added punters weren't used to putting on sunscreen for the day. "We're not used to normally having to put on suncream for Punchestown, it can be a cold spot at times. "But Kildare people have been planning to come here for a very long time, before they knew what the weather would be like. "But this is an added bit. And you can see by the attendance figures, some people at the last minute decided, 'we're going to do this.' "And that will be the case particularly coming into the Bank Holiday weekend on Friday and Saturday. "But Punchestown has the space to provide that really good visitor experience, whether it's the hard-core punter or someone who's here for a bit of fun." Extra precaution was taken yesterday for the horses in the hot weather as the IHRB responsible for welfare stood by with extra buckets of water to help them recover. Punters heading to the racecourse on Thursday are advised to bring a brolly as rain is forecast amid the sunny spells. Met Eireann said it will feel "cool with highs of 12 to 17 degrees in northerly breezes". "Elsewhere across Leinster and Munster it will be mostly sunny to begin. Cloud will build further for the afternoon, with some scattered showers breaking out, which will possibly be heavy and thundery, especially across southern counties. "Highs here of 18 to 23 or 24 degrees in light northerly winds," added the forecaster.
Irish Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Stars soak in the sun at Punchestown as mum-of-one wins best dressed
It was second time lucky for new mother Oniesa Owens, who was named Best Dressed at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Punters flocking to the Kildare racecourse enjoyed "the hottest day in decades" according to racing bosses. At the Bollinger tent, mum-of-one Oniesa Owens from Longford, who works as an area manager for a tyre company, recently completed a course in fashion buying. She was spotted by judges, including Jess Colivet, Kate Nally McCormack, David O'Connor and guest stylist Ali Gleeson, who adored her preloved fashion. Speaking afterwards, Oniesa said she was a finalist on the Wednesday at last year's races, but didn't win. But luck was on her side on Wednesday as she was crowned a finalist this Friday where she is in with a chance of winning a luxurious trip for two to the champagne region in France. She said: "The outfit is preloved by Roisin Linnane... We're here with the Longford GAA and the jacket is from a boutique called Fabiani by Rotate. "Punchestown is always cold so that's why I said I'd wear sleeves. "Winning this is amazing and adds a string to my bow. "I was a finalist on the Wednesday last year but I didn't win that day. "I'll possibly wear this. I did see a green skirt in the Enable Ireland shop but with the weather like this I might change my outfit (for Friday)." Oniesa is here with her husband Johnathan and the couple welcomed a baby girl, Esme, a year ago. "I love fashion..I love dressing up, love the style. It goes back generations. "It's the hardest job you'll ever do (being a mother). I'd love her to love the style like I do." As many as 23,285 flocked to the second day of the Kildare racecourse - up 1,633. We even spotted a bridal party enjoying a hen do. Leanne Knight from Cheltenham was enjoying two days in Ireland with her bridal squad ahead of her wedding in August. Leanne said it was much better value at Punchestown than Cheltenham. "We love the Irish. We were out in Temple Bar last night and we're heading there again tonight. We love Ireland." A HRI spokesperson for Punchestown Racing Festival said: "It's the hottest day in decades and there's a total party atmosphere. It's going to be a great week." Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon was among those in attendance as well as Ireland AM star Elaine Crowley, who was a guest of Ladbrokes in the exclusive Morrell Suite. Elaine said: "I had the winner in the first race at 14/1. I love the races now." RTE star Marty Morrissey was also in attendance with the Longford GAA team. He added: "I had a great day at the races. The weather makes it. The Marty Party will be in full swing tonight." Among those enjoying the racing festivities was also former Irish international soccer legend and Ladbrokes brand ambassador, Shane Long. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round. "The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse.' Elsewhere, Minister Heydon recalled working at the races in his early years and how important the festival is to the local economy. "I worked here as a young fella in 2004. I worked down at the race-track, it was my full time job, I was also a part-time farmer. "So many people who come here are passionate about their national hunt racing. "It's the end of a very important season and a chance for re-matches after Cheltenham and Leopardstown and Fairyhouse. "But if the ground isn't right and the people who do all the hard work on the course don't get that right, then this doesn't work on this side. "So great work and attention and care has gone on out there. "From 2000 to 2004, I worked on the track here. We used to have to water it in times of great heat like this. "You also had to manage the ground when it's wetter as well. "But it's the indirect economic spin-off for County Kildare that comes from Punchestown, it's valued at tens of millions of euros. "Whether it's local boutiques or menswear shops, everybody gets ready for Punchestown. "We all grew up getting a half day from school for it, here in the Kildare area, this is who we are and it's a huge part of it. "Never mind your bars and restaurants that are going to benefit from tonight in Naas, Ballymore Eustace and all around. "This year we have seen 27pc of the visitors here are going to be from England – that's foreign, direct investment that's coming into the country that's so important from a tourism perspective. "So there is so much to this and is a direct reason that we as an Irish Gov invest money into this industry, an industry that's worth almost €2.5bn to our entire economy and employs almost 30,000 people. Minister Heydon added punters weren't used to putting on sunscreen for the day. "We're not used to normally having to put on suncream for Punchestown, it can be a cold spot at times. "But Kildare people have been planning to come here for a very long time, before they knew what the weather would be like. "But this is an added bit. And you can see by the attendance figures, some people at the last minute decided, 'we're going to do this.' "And that will be the case particularly coming into the Bank Holiday weekend on Friday and Saturday. "But Punchestown has the space to provide that really good visitor experience, whether it's the hard-core punter or someone who's here for a bit of fun." Extra precaution yesterday for the horses in the hot weather as the IHRB responsible for welfare stood by with extra buckets of water to help them recover. Punters heading to the racecourse on Thursday are advised to bring a brolly as rain is forecast amid the sunny spells. Met Eireann said it will feel "cool with highs of 12 to 17 degrees in northerly breezes". "Elsewhere across Leinster and Munster it will be mostly sunny to begin. "Cloud will build further for the afternoon, with some scattered showers breaking out, which will possibly be heavy and thundery, especially across southern counties. "Highs here of 18 to 23 or 24 degrees in light northerly winds," added the forecaster. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts. Oniesa Owens pictured at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival 2025 at Punchestown Racecourse 1 of 7 Martin Skelly and Marty Morrissey pictured at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival 2025 at Punchestown Racecourse 2 of 7 Meghan Scully and Nicola Egan 3 of 7 Punters at the Cheltenham Gold Cup 4 of 7
Extra.ie
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Longford woman scoops Best Dressed prize on Day Two at Punchestown
Glamorous revellers descended on Punchestown for the second day of the racing festival. Punters were spotted soaking up the April sunshine on Wednesday afternoon. The focus was on fashion with women showing a range of stylish ensembles. Oniesa Owens at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Oniesa Owens was the second winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition. Oniesa, who works as a tyre saleswoman, looked super chic as rocked a black-and-white outfit. Finalists at the Bollinger Best Dressed competition on Day Two of the Punchestown Festival. Speaking to EVOKE, she said: 'I just love fashion. I love dressing up, I love style and that stems back generations to my grandmother,' 'I'd love [my daughter] to love style like I do,' Oniesa continued. Oniesa Owens who was the winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition on Day Two of the Punchestown Festival. On Tuesday, Genevieve Ryan was named best dressed as the racing festival kicked off. She turned heads in a stunning polka dot outfit. The feature race of the day was the Ladbrokes Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend up, clear the last on their way to winning the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup Chase. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile A host of well-known personalities turned out to see Galopin Des Champ bounce back from disappointment at the Cheltenham Festival to land the Grade One race. Former Republic of Ireland footballer and Ladbrokes brand ambassador Shane Long was spotted enjoying the racing festivities. Former Republic of Ireland footballer and Ladbrokes brand ambassador Shane Long at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Also taking in the action were the likes of Elaine Crowley, Marty Morrissey and Meghann Scully. Elaine Crowley at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Speaking about the Punchestown Festival, Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round.' Meghann Scully at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography 'The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse.' Marty Morrissey at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Check out all the style from Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Festival below: Karen Glennon and Pauline Glennon at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Rachel Morgan and Anna Rafter at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Meghann Scully and Nicola Egan at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Lisa Tilson and Nicola Sills Lyons at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Aileen O'Brien, Maeve Corbett and Denise O'Brien at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Sharon Regan at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Nicola Egan at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Chris Burke at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Marietta Doran at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Isabel Gleeson at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Katie McGovern at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Alyssa Galligan and Bronagh Rawle at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Katie McGovern, Martha McSharry, Maria Gorsky and Samantha Brence at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Katie Sherratt and Chloe Scott at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Dr Fiona Grant at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Nomi Brennan at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Dawn Knight and Davinia Knight at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Marty Morrissey and Avril Kelly Carter at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Helen Johnson, Vicky Shaw and Sarah at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Avril Kelly Carter at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Katie Young at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Philipa Armstrong and Diggy Rodber at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography Racegoers on Day Two of the Punchestown Festival. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
