Punchestown Racecourse has recently unveiled a fresh three-year sponsorship deal for the prestigious Grade 1 Boodles Champion Hurdle at their Festival meeting, establishing a significant alliance within Irish horse racing circles.
Boodles Day, on Friday 3rd May, features the highly anticipated Grade 1 €300,000 Boodles Champion Hurdle as its flagship race.
The upcoming 2024 Boodles Champion Hurdle looms as a potential highlight of the season, with reigning champion hurdler Constitution Hill possibly crossing the Irish Sea to challenge local favourite and current Punchestown Festival Champion, State Man, on home soil.
The anticipation is high for a rematch between these two talented horses at Cheltenham in under two weeks, provided Nicky Henderson's star competitor regains full fitness following a recent setback.
The Punchestown Festival remains a pinnacle event on the Irish sporting and social calendar, renowned for its five days of top-tier racing showcasing the best talent from both Ireland and Britain.
The timing of this sponsorship aligns perfectly with Boodles' 20th year presence on Grafton Street in Dublin, extending their support from British racing events such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Chester Races, and York Races into the heart of Irish racing.
This three-year partnership between Boodles and Punchestown coincides with the launch of Boodles' maiden equine-inspired jewellery collection 'Lucky', set to be exhibited at the Boodles Bar throughout the Punchestown Festival.
As the grand finale of the Irish jump racing season, Punchestown is celebrated as the ultimate stage for champions, making this collaboration one of Boodles' most thrilling ventures to date.
James Amos, Managing Director of Boodles, reflected on the long-standing relationship between Boodles and horse racing, dating back to the 1930s and their involvement in the Grand National at Aintree. He expressed excitement about sponsoring a prominent race at Punchestown nearly a century later, underlining the vibrant atmosphere expected at 'The Boodles Bar' during the festival.
Conor O'Neill, CEO of Punchestown, conveyed his delight at the partnership, highlighting the shared values of heritage and brand integrity between Boodles and the festival. He underscored the significance of the Boodles Champion Hurdle as a prestigious race befitting a brand of Boodles' stature.
The Punchestown Festival is scheduled from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May, with Boodles Day coinciding with Ladies Day on Friday 3rd May.
For the 2024 edition, Punchestown will introduce various enhancements, including reduced ticket prices, updated layout features, earlier start times for the first two days, and improved public amenities.