Punchestown Festival 2025: Jumps, jockeys and a whole lot of euros – what you need to know

It’s almost that time again – when the best in horse racing head to Ireland for one last hurrah before the summer sun turns the turf into a glorified picnic blanket. 

Yes, the Punchestown Festival 2025 is galloping our way, and it promises five days of top-class racing, big names, and probably more tweed than a countryside wedding.

This is the grand finale of the Irish National Hunt season, where Britain and Ireland lock horns (again) just weeks after the Cheltenham dust has settled. 

It’s the equestrian equivalent of a rematch after a heated pub quiz – except with 40 races, 12 Grade Ones, and over €3.5 million up for grabs. Not bad for a week in County Kildare.

Here, Sports News Blitz takes a look at the Irish spectacle…

🗓️ When is the Punchestown Festival?

Tuesday, April 29 marks day one – and what an opening it is.

Things kick off at 2:30pm UK time with the Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup, a race with a name so long it should come with a breathalyser.

Later that day, buckle up for the William Hill Champion Chase, where Fact To File, fresh off a Ryanair Chase win, is the hot 5/4 ante-post favourite.

Trainer Willie Mullins will also be there, probably surrounded by more talent than a boyband reunion.

Wednesday and Thursday deliver drama with the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup and Champion Stayers Hurdle, featuring stars like Galopin des Champs and Teahupoo, both trying to make up for their Cheltenham flops.

Friday brings the Boodles Champion Hurdle, where Constitution Hill hopes to bounce back from two falls. Yes, even horses have off days.

Saturday, the final curtain call, then sees some final fireworks with the Mares Champion Hurdle, Four-Year-Old Hurdle, and the crowning of champions, complete with hugs, high-fives, and probably a few tears.

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🧠 Trainers to watch (and be slightly intimidated by)

Willie Mullins is basically racing royalty at this point. With 10 Cheltenham wins and a Grand National trophy under his belt, he’s not just leading the Irish standings – he’s owning them. 

At Punchestown, he has already chalked up 164 winners, which is more than some people’s number of Facebook friends.

Across the pond, Dan Skelton is hot on his heels in the British trainer rankings – just £53,000 behind.

Basically, it’s the racing world’s version of the Premier League title race.

Gordon Elliott, for his part, had a slightly bumpy Cheltenham but bounced back faster than a racehorse on Red Bull with wins at Fairyhouse.

Furthermore, don’t overlook Henry de Bromhead and Gavin Cromwell – both have horses that know how to find the finish line first, and that’s really what this is all about, isn’t it?

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🏇 Jockeys to keep an eye on (and maybe place a bet behind)

Paul Townend is on fire. He’s cruising toward his seventh Irish Champion Jockey title and has racked up more prize money than a small lottery win.

Sam Ewing is 36 winners behind, but he's the punters' pal – he’s turning heads at Punchestown with a tidy +46.50 level stakes profit. If jockeys had stock prices, his would be booming.

Harry Cobden, though usually flying the Paul Nicholls flag, has been moonlighting for Mullins with big wins like Captain Cody in the Scottish Grand National. He’s heading to Punchestown looking for rides – any rides. Even piggybacks, probably.

And Sean Bowen, your newly minted Irish Grand National hero, will be trotting in with confidence and possibly a new favourite saddle.

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📺 How to watch it all unfold

You can catch all the action on Racing TV if you’ve got a subscription and a comfy sofa.

Or tune into ITV for live, free coverage in the UK – no sign-up, no fee, just top-class racing and commentators trying not to lose their voices.

So, grab your binoculars, pour a Guinness, and prepare for the ultimate spring showdown.

Because, at Punchestown, the only thing more unpredictable than the Irish weather … is the racing.

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