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My Racing StorySponsored By Tote
I live in Garristown, north Co Dublin, near Ashbourne in Co Meath. I started riding ponies when I was younger. I did a lot of hunting with the Ward Union Hunt and Fingal Harriers Hunt, and then I got into the Ward Union Pony Club. My brother, my two younger sisters and I all did the pony club for a good couple of years. We did eventing and show jumping and everything.
For the second year in a row Punchestown was blessed with good weather throughout the week and this led to bumper crowds across the five days. In total 139,017 people (new record attendance) turned up compared to 136,651 in 2025.
Over 20,000 more people attended Punchestown this year than in 2024.
Punchestown, Newmarket and the Curragh reviewed
Emma, Johnny and Paddy look back on a bumper week of racing, including standout performances at Punchestown and Newmarket.
By Tom Weekes - DIVABORIVA was a debut winner in 2024 and has useful recent form over hurdles. Grade 3-placed in a Punchestown festival bumper in 2025, the selection bumped into a subsequent Listed-winner at today’s course last November and then finished second to Punchestown’s recent champion mare Place De La Nation at Thurles. The selection’s recent Fairyhouse run was useful and her professional rider again claims 7lb. La Cote Fleurie is out of a half-sister to a French Grade 1-winner and while she too scored on debut, last October, might struggle to beat the race-fit selection on jumps debut. Hillhead Runner debuts for new connections and will appreciate drying ground.
