The fourth day of the Punchestown was the best attended in 20 years for a race meeting in Ireland. More than 40,000 people witnessed Lossiemouth win the Champion Hurdle at the track on Friday 1 May.
The exact total measured 43,572 racegoers. For a meeting in Ireland, this is unmatched since Galway Plate day in 2006, which attracted a crowd of more than 48,000. However, the figure from Friday is still startling. Lossiemouth was the star attraction on the day, winning at prohibitive odds in the Champion Hurdle. Significantly though, the number was greater than 12 months ago when Constitution Hill ran on the card.
A bumper crowd was reflected throughout the week at Punchestown. Last year, there was a percentage spike in attendances of 15% compared to 2024. The total crowds once again reached a higher peak in 2026 though, with another 2,426 walking through the turnstiles this time around.
Punchestown enjoyed a host of impressive winners on display this season. All of Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup heroes not only raced at the County Kildare venue, but doubled their tallies. Lossiemouth was one, with both Il Etait Temps and Gaelic Warrior also winning earlier in the week.
“It has potential to grow even more” – Punchestown chief executive
Conor O’Neill is Punchestown’s chief executive. He admitted to some hesitation about potential numbers for this year’s event when interviewed by the Racing Post. However, he was delighted to be emphatically proven wrong by a substantial audience.
further, while mindful the track needs to invest in facilities to accommodate growth.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I thought with Constitution Hill and the weather the way it was last year, you couldn’t get near that again – everything aligned with the racing and social crowd on that occasion.
“But it’s one of those days that seems to be growing and growing. I think the crowd would be among the biggest since before the Celtic Tiger. It’s phenomenal.
“It has potential to grow even more, and we have to commit to further investment to ensure the customer experience matches it. That’s the big challenge with numbers like this.”
One factor O’Neill also enjoyed in terms of participation at Punchestown was a strong British challenge. Trainer Harry Derham achieved a Grade 1 breakthrough in the Grade 3m novice hurdle with Le Frimeur.
“It’s something we’ve focused heavily on,” O’NBeill admitted. “Britain is our biggest potential growth market and it’s something we’ve committed to. It’s an integral part of the festival and it’s crucial we get them over and renew rivalries from Cheltenham and Aintree.”