THE first running of the Up The Yard day for staff at Punchestown was a huge success and is set to become an annual event.

Deflecting much of the credit for the organising and co-ordinating with stable staff, supporters and sponsors to Leona Hughes, recent graduate of the Young ITBA, Punchestown’s Shona Dreaper said: “We were delighted at how it went for the first running, fair play to everyone. Emma Connolly and Camilla Sharples helped round up everyone and it was great for people to see the staff from different stables.

“The scenes before the Challenge race were so brilliant, mams and dad crying, Louise [Magee] had a bus of 60 people from Trim!

“There was great goodwill and brought back a feel good factor after a few bad weeks for the industry. It was a great first effort and it will be bigger and better next year!”

The Up the Yard Challenge race was won by Louise Magee from Jamie Dwyer and Dillion Philips.

Stable Staff National was won by Robyn Lyndsay from Gordon Elliott’s who went better on the fast going than her rival Adam Boyne representing Liam Cusack.

Nicola Walsh representing the Royal county and Gavin Cromwell’s stable showed strength, agility and outstanding wheelbarrow skills to land the Load Up Lads against Zoe Martin from the Joseph O’Brien yard. Nicola will enjoy an overnight stay in the four star Killashee Hotel & Spa as a result of her efforts.

Second in status only to the Up The Yard Challenge Race was the Best Turned Out Showdown. A highly competitive field consisting of Ben Delmar from Willie Mullins’ stable, Emma Connolly of Noel Meade’s team and Gordon Elliott’s travelling head girl Camilla Sharples lined up for the coveted title. Martine Hennessy and Tanya Doyle of Kildare Pony Club arranged for three equine models in the form of Casper, Jake and Bronco.

Despite some demands for stewards inquiries regarding difference in mane texture, Emma Connolly, who we believe was in training especially for the event, stole the show and won herself a pair of Dubarry boots and dinner for two in Lemongrass Naas or Citywest.