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06 Sept 2025
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Punchestown Festival 'will deliver a great week' for punters - Kildare-based HRI boss
'Horse racing remains a mainstay of the economy throughout County Kildare'
HRI CEO Suzanne Eade
Punchestown will deliver another great festival, according to the CEO of Kildare-headquartered Horse Racing Ireland (HRI).
Suzanne Eade said that the Punchestown Festival plays a vital role in the success of the horse racing industry in Ireland.
The Newbridge-based HRI boss told the Leinster Leader: “Very few meetings measure up to the week at Punchestown when it comes to the importance of both the racing and the wider benefit it brings to the local area.
“We are proud that horse racing remains a mainstay of the economy throughout County Kildare and the widely renowned tracks at Punchestown, Naas and the Curragh play such a vital role in this.
“I want to wish racecourse CEO Conor O’Neill and his team at Punchestown all the very best for the festival.
“I’ve seen at first-hand their wonderful preparations and I trust that they will deliver a great week for us all.”
Ms Eade also remarked that it is fitting that local Kildare South TD Martin Heydon will be attending the Festival as a senior minister with responsibility for the horse racing industry.
She added: “Conor O'Neill is under added pressure of course this year as one of his racegoers will be Martin Heydon who will be enjoying his first Punchestown festival as Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine.”
The Punchestown Festival will generate over €100m to the local economy of Kildare.
There will be a substantial financial spin-off for hotels, bars, restaurants, and retailers will be very significant over the five days of the Festival.
Overseas visitors from the UK and around Europe will also boost the spend from homegrown visitors.
Horse Racing Ireland
Horse Racing Ireland is the national authority for thoroughbred racing in Ireland, with responsibility for the governance, development and promotion of the industry under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001.
As a commercial semi- state body HRI, through its board, reports to the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine.
This reporting line reflects the importance of Ireland’s thoroughbred racing and breeding industry to agricultural development and employment in every region of the country.
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