PRIZE money at this year’s Punchestown Festival has been increased by €167,500 to a record total of €3.6 million.

The bulk of the increases will be seen in five handicaps which have been raised in value from €50,000 to €75,000. Seven other races across the five-day Festival have had their purses increased from €15,000 to €20,000.

There is also the possibility of a €50,000 bonus being won at Punchestown through the new Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Bonus Series. This initiative will see a €50,000 bonus paid to connections of the first horse to win a Grade 1 race at the 2026 Festival, having previously won one of 12 qualifier races. Eligible contenders include Leader D’allier, How’s Hannah, Koktail Brut and The Passing Wife. Should the bonus be won, a further €50,000 will be shared with Matchbook clients.

Punchestown racing manager Richie Galway said: “Punchestown has always set the standard in offering some of the most competitive and rewarding racing in Ireland.

“With a record prize fund, we are reaffirming our commitment to excellence and ensuring the Festival continues to attract the very best horses, trainers, and owners from Ireland and the UK. We continue to work closely with the Horse Racing Ireland team who support our shared aims with regard to improvements of Festival prize money and racing programme.”

The 2025 Punchestown Festival saw 19 individual winning trainers and 30 winning owners. The Festival has seen increased British participation in recent seasons, primarily through the introduction of the €100,000 Albert Bartlett Handicap Hurdle Final. There were 66 overseas runners at the 2025 Festival and eight British-trained winners.

The 2026 Festival runs from Tuesday, April 28th to Saturday, May 2nd. Entries for the 12 Grade 1 races close on Wednesday, April 8th.