ON Monday Punchestown Racecourse announced Ballymore has returned as title sponsors of the final day of Ireland’s most prestigious jump racing festival. The Ballymore Festival Family Day will take place on Saturday, May 2nd and concludes not only the Punchestown Festival but the Irish jump racing season itself. The €100,000 Grade 1 Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle will be the centrepiece of a top-quality, seven-race card.

That day has rapidly become one of the best attended fixtures on the Irish racing calendar, attracting a crowd of 37,206 in 2019. As the name suggests, the focus of the day is on community, introducing families to Punchestown and opening the world of horse racing to children. A full programme of activities, games and entertainment will be on offer for families, with a dedicated indoor Junior Jockey Fun Club available.