ONE of the races at Punchestown next Tuesday is called ‘Thank You Snowy for 40 Years at Punchestown Maiden Hurdle’. Martin ‘Snowy’ Pearse is the facilities manager and the race is to honour a lifetime of dedication.

CEO Conor O’Neill, a happy man to have racing back at Punchestown at last, took up the story: “Yes, next Tuesday, September 8th will be exactly 40 years ago to the day that Martin started at Punchestown – that’s some fantastic record of service.”

Snowy won the Racing Breeding Support Services Award at the Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards in 2018 and Conor provided the citation for that reward, extracts below, which sums up a man pivotal to Punchestown.

“With almost 40 years of dedication to Punchestown under his belt, the sheriff of Punchestown has contributed hugely to the racing industry.

“Martin, or Snowy as he was nicknamed because of his snow white hair as a baby, has been a key part of the team at the racecourse for 40 years. He started out working as a contracted tractor driver back in 1980, learned the craft of fence building and was appointed facilities manager following the 1998 redevelopment.

“If you’re lucky the yard, stud, office or businesses where you work will have a ‘Go To’ person, a problem fixer and a miracle worker. If you’re very lucky it is Snowy!

“During those years Snowy has seen plenty of changes, drama, improvements and the variety that working in racing and on a racecourse brings. An abandoned festival, two redevelopments, an ash cloud, foot and mouth, five different managers and as many chairmen, hurricanes, record breaking crowds, history making races, turbulent political days, floods, massive music festivals, charity events, trade shows, concerts, news crews, weddings, funerals, births and deaths have all featured in Snowy’s working life at Punchestown!

“At Punchestown it’s all the little things, the day-to-day crisis management, the kind gestures, the early mornings and late nights, the major problems we never hear about because they are already handled, the untold hours out of someone’s free time and the thankless tasks that we never even consider that make a person deserving of recognition.

“For 40 years Snowy has pulled, dragged, carried, lifted, supervised, unblocked, drove, assisted and answered when needed. Until recently he was a sole trader and single handily managed over 20,000 square metres of buildings and surrounds at Punchestown.

“As facilities manager Snowy pre-empts every requirement for equipment, furniture, catering, doors unlocked, gates closed, lights on, heating off and all the activities that it takes to run a massive facility like Punchestown.

“Most people who work in racing will be familiar with the huge maintenance that a yard, stud, farm or racecourse demand. There are over 200 doors and gates at Punchestown and at any time Snowy can put his hand to the right key. He knows every nook, cranny, window, lever, drain, switch, store room, bathroom, boiler, light fitting, fuse board and tap in the place.

“He has set up conference and dining facilities for over 200 people with little more than an hour’s notice. He is the first man in and the last man leaving every race day. He finds chairs, tables, phones, TVs and anything else you could possibly require within minutes of your request.

No prisoners

“Probably one of his best achievements to date is how Snowy manages an office of up to 15 ladies! He takes no prisoners and pulls no punches, but if you need rescuing or a task done Snowy is your man. He is resourceful, meticulous, loyal and incredibly hard working.

“He spends days preparing the Punchestown float every year for the Easter parade in Naas which he stands upon with great pride as the float makes its way down the main street.

“Preparing festival facilities for stable staff is high on the list of priorities for Snowy as “after himself they are the hardest workers at Punchestown!” The overseas staff that visit Punchestown are sure to be welcomed with a selection of Irish delicacies such as Tayto, homemade brown bread and scones and ‘proper’ tea. Snowy makes sure that they have everything they need as ‘visitors’ to the home of Irish jump racing.

“Perhaps one of Snowy’s most endearing and honourable qualities is his generosity with time. Punchestown receives a huge number of requests to host charity events and fundraisers at the track.

“ Anyone who has been involved in a charity event knows that there is a lot of preparation and volunteers tend to dwindle when the going gets tough. You can count on Snowy.

“The racing community knows plenty about early mornings and late nights. Weekends don’t even feature for most. Snowy has set up, supplied and managed too many charity events to mention.

“He has changed more tyres in freezing cold car parks, connected more jump leads to flat engines in the dark evenings of winter, and given lifts home to deserted punters than most of us will ever hear about.

“Nobody enjoys a night on the dance floor more than Snowy but he always makes sure everyone gets home safe. If you get Snowy in the staff Kris Kindle at Christmas you’re home and hosed as he is generous to a fault!

“He sets up and assists at the start of every race. Gets hands on when a horse may be in trouble and has issued comforting words to many a jockey who find themselves walking rather than riding back to the parade ring.

“In his limited spare time Snowy’s passions include looking after his beloved grandchildren and watching his sacred Kildare team struggle on the pitch!!

“Snowy takes Punchestown personally and what you see if what you get.

“He is a real character and the star of the show and it is a show that would certainly struggle without him.”